Schumer, Gillibrand Call for Designation for Rochester, Finger Lakes to Support New Manufacturing
Press Release
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a new effort to launch new manufacturing initiatives to the city of Rochester that can help businesses grow and support job creation.
The Senators released a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker calling for the swift approval of the city of Rochester's application for the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) Program. If approved, Rochester and the Finger Lakes region would be designated as a manufacturing community -- spurring innovation, job creation and revitalization of the local manufacturing industry.
"Manufacturing has powered the Rochester and Finger Lakes economy for decades, and now is making even greater strides in high-tech, optics, and other innovative manufacturing sectors. This designation would cement Rochester's reputation as a hub of manufacturing growth, help redevelop assets like Eastman Business Park, and make it easier to bring both public and private investment to the Flower City," said Senator Schumer. "That's a recipe for more businesses, more economic growth, and more jobs in Rochester, so I'm urging the Commerce Department to swiftly review and approve Rochester's application."
"Rochester manufacturing powered America for decades and drove our local economy," Senator Gillibrand said. "It is time to see "Made in America' again. When we invest in public and private partnerships fostered through this designation, we can help educate and train workers with the skills they need for advanced manufacturing, help more businesses grow and strengthen our economy, and create new good-paying jobs that can support a family."
"With this application, Rochester is taking an important step forward as a community with a tradition built on manufacturing. Some say that the days of manufacturing are past us, but that is simply not thinking with a 21st century mindset," said City of Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren. "The new manufacturing economy is being built on innovation and applied high technology. Rochester's manufacturers -- from Eastman to Carlson to today's start-up pioneers -- have always been innovators; have always been one step ahead of the existing technology of the day. Being named a Global Manufacturing Hub will help us take the best of who we are, and use those strengths to propel our region into tomorrow."
Manufacturing has always been an important component of the Finger Lakes Region, with a greater percentage of its population involved in manufacturing than New York State and the U.S. as a whole. Based on U.S. Census data, between 2010-2012 the region's nine counties employed up to 20 percent of manufacturing workers, compared to 6 percent in New York State and 10 percent in the country overall. The region has long been a leader of manufacturing, exports and job creation, with the manufacturing industry once impacting 50 percent of the area's economy. Although they were affected by downsizing and offshoring of major manufacturers like Kodak, this new IMCP designation will help ignite the resurgence of that once great industry.
Regions designated as a federal Manufacturing Community will receive preferred consideration when applying for an estimated $1.3 billion in future federal economic development grant funding. Not only will an IMCP designation for the Rochester Finger Lakes region open up access to this $1.3 billion federal economic development funding, but it will also help generate additional opportunities for private foreign and domestic investment that will further position the region as a magnet for new manufacturing companies, strengthening the area's economy and creating much-needed jobs. Through this partnership, the Finger Lakes Region will have increased access to federal funding along with support to help advance manufacturing clusters. With implementation, Rochester plans to revive the manufacturing industry in the State to enhance the Region's industrial ecosystem.
Source