Gillibrand's Legislation Would Put Designated "Manufacturing Communities" like Yonkers in Front of the Line to Receive Federal Economic Development Funding

Statement

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was joined today by Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano to visit the new headquarters of alpha-En in Yonkers and announce her bipartisan Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act legislation. Senator Gillibrand's legislation would grow the manufacturing industry and help create good-paying jobs in Westchester by creating a permanent program that designates local regions as "Manufacturing Communities," which would put them in the front of the line to receive federal economic development funding specifically for the purpose of investing in manufacturing.

"New York has one of the greatest manufacturing traditions in the country, and we need to help ensure that our local communities have the chance to become leading national manufacturing hubs in the 21st Century," said Senator Gillibrand. "This bipartisan legislation would unlock millions of dollars in federal economic development funds for smart investments in high-impact projects and would leverage public-private partnerships to help create good-paying manufacturing jobs, jumpstart new businesses, and grow our economy for years to come."

"The Yonkers economy is booming thanks in large part to the continued growth of our local small businesses and the manufacturing sector in the area," said Congressman Eliot Engel, senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. "Companies like alpha-En are leading the way in transforming our local economy through a drive to innovate while creating quality products. When you buy locally you can feel good about knowing your hard-earned dollars are staying in the community, supporting the type of jobs and businesses that keep America strong. It's an exciting time for Yonkers, and I want to thank Senator Gillibrand for highlighting just what our domestic manufacturers are capable of achieving."

In order to earn the "Manufacturing Communities" designation, communities would demonstrate the significance of manufacturing in their region and develop strategies to utilize their "Manufacturing Communities" designation in making investments in six areas:

Workforce training and retraining;
Advanced research;
Infrastructure and site development;
Supply chain support;
Promotion of exports and foreign direct investment; and
Operational improvement and capital access for manufacturers that supports energy or process efficiency, equipment or facility upgrades, or the development of business incubators, among other activities.

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