Cicilline Introduces Manufacturing Plan
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Congressman David Cicilline introduced a six-point plan to revive Rhode Island manufacturing yesterday.
The centerpiece of the plan is his Make it In America Block Grant Act yesterday, which Cicilline unveiled at a press conference in Pawtucket Wednesday.
The event took place in the former Paramount Card Company, a greeting card manufacturer that recently shut down after the company shifted production overseas in order to obtain cheaper labor.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Paramount Card Company was supposed to provide a dramatic backdrop for the new legislation, which would establish a grant program that would help provide small and medium-sized manufacturers with the resources necessary to retrofit their operations and retrain their workforce for the demands of high-tech 21st century manufacturing.
“If we’re really going to re-build our economy, we must focus on making things again in this country, and we will, when we give our manufacturers the incentives and tools they need to do it,” Cicilline said. “The Make it in America Block Grant will help retool our area manufacturers who need help adapting to compete in the new economy– a high-tech, alternative energy economy.”
Janet Raymond, the chair of the Providence/Cranston Workforce training board, spoke out in support of the Make it in America Block Grant legislation. “Rhode Island has already created a strong foundation of training programs utilizing Network Rhode Island and our One Stop Centers throughout the state. This legislation provides an opportunity to enhance that system by targeting more federal money for specialized training and key workforce development initiatives,” stated Raymond.
Six point plan
The complete six-point plan includes the following, according to a news release from Cicilline’s office.
■ Make It in America Block Grant (Rep. Cicilline H.R. 1912): Establishes a grant program at the Commerce Department to provide small to medium-sized businesses in communities hardest hit by unemployment with the resources and strategies they need to retool and retrofit their operations and train their workforce in order to transition to the manufacturing of clean energy, high-technology, and advanced products.
■ National Manufacturing Strategy Act (Rep. Lipinski, H.R. 1366): Directs the president to work with industry, labor leaders, and other stakeholders to develop a national strategy to increase manufacturing.
■ Build American Jobs Act (Rep. Levin, H.R. 922) & Build America Bonds to Create Jobs Now Act (Rep. Connolly, H.R. 11): Extends the Build America Bonds program, provides additional funding for the Recovery Zone bonds program, and makes improvements to existing bond and credit programs to help states and local governments leverage private capital to create jobs today and build the infrastructure that is the backbone of future economic growth.
■ National Infrastructure Development Bank Act (Rep. DeLauro, H.R. 402): Establishes a wholly-owned government corporation to facilitate efficient investments in and financing of infrastructure projects—from leading-edge broadband networks and energy delivery systems to modern ports—that foster economic development and keep America competitive.
■ Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act (Reps. Levin and Tim Ryan, H.R. 639): Levels the trade playing field by holding accountable countries that create an unfair trade advantage by manipulating their currency.
■ Tax Policies that Strengthen Manufacturing: Cicilline has co-sponsored measures (H.R. 871 – Rep. Heath Shuler and H.R. 689 – Rep. Donna Edwards) that expand and make permanent the Research and Development Tax Credit and provide enhanced tax incentives for domestic manufacturing. In addition, Cicilline is a co-sponsor of legislation (H.R. 110 – Rep. Rosa DeLauro) that allows manufacturing firms to establish and make pre-tax contributions to manufacturing reinvestment accounts (MRA), similar to individual retirement accounts (IRA). The amounts distributed from the MRA can be used to purchase equipment or provide job training.
Note: The first bill was introduced by Cicilline, the others he is co-sponsoring with other U.S. Reps. All of the bills except the last two on taxes are included in the Democratic legislative agenda.
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