Ayotte Honored for Efforts to Boost NH Manufacturers

Press Release

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) this week awarded Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence at an event hosted by NAM member Thermo Fisher Scientific in Portsmouth.

"I'm honored to receive this award from the National Association of Manufacturers, which represents nearly 100 businesses in New Hampshire. Our state's high-tech manufacturing sector is a bright spot in our economy and a source of good-paying, sustainable jobs," said Senator Ayotte, a member of the Senate Commerce and Small Business Committees. "I'm working to create a better tax and regulatory climate so that New Hampshire manufacturers are able to hire more workers, compete in the global marketplace, and stay on the cutting edge of technological innovation. I'll also continue to push bipartisan legislation I've introduced in the Senate that would help strengthen our workforce to meet the demand for manufacturing job opportunities in our state."

"We are very pleased to welcome Senator Ayotte back to our Portsmouth site and help the National Association of Manufacturers present her with this award," said David W. Bespalko, President of Anatomical Pathology and Healthcare Market for Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Legislators who support manufacturing advance policies that help us as manufacturers create economic strength and jobs."

"Manufacturing in New Hampshire and across the country is making a comeback," said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. "Manufacturers are growing the economy and creating high-paying jobs in a sector that adds $1.32 to the economy for every $1 spent. Senator Ayotte understands that leaders in Washington must advance policies that will continue to fuel this economic growth and has consistently supported manufacturers through her votes in Congress."

Ayotte has introduced several pieces of legislation to strengthen the manufacturing workforce and address regional skills challenges. She and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) recently introduced a bipartisan bill to help schools strengthen their engineering programs and meet the growing workforce demands of 21st century advanced manufacturing. The bill would designate 25 "Manufacturing Universities", and make them eligible for a $5 million grant that provides incentives to better align educational offerings with the needs of modern manufacturers. Last Congress, Ayotte and Coons introduced the Manufacturing Skills Act, which would create a fully paid for annual $100 million competitive grant program to strengthen workforce training and address regional skills challenges. Ayotte also cosponsored the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act, which was signed into law in December. The bill is aimed at bringing together the public and private sectors to accelerate manufacturing technologies with commercial applications.

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