BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES TO GIVE AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans today announced, during budget hearing testimony before the House Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Subcommittee, two new initiatives to help American manufacturers compete and grow American jobs.

Evans announced that the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program (MEP) will soon be eligible to compete for up to $45.4 million in economic adjustment assistance provided by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). This is an effort to help American workers and business communities hit hard by the loss of manufacturing jobs.

“President Bush understands that many American manufacturing workers across the country need assistance,” said Evans. “We want them to know that help is on the way and that we will not rest until every American looking for work finds a job. The President remains committed to growing the manufacturing industry and creating new jobs.”

The $45.4 million in EDA economic adjustment assistance grants will come from the Department of Commerce 2005 budget request. MEP’s will also be eligible to compete for unobligated 2004 economic adjustment assistance grants. MEP is a nationwide network of not-for-profit centers in over 400 locations nationwide to help area manufacturers by providing expertise and services tailored to help American businesses become more innovative and competitive.

Evans has directed EDA to expand the program to include university-based economic development EDA partners with states, units of local government and community nonprofit organizations in economically distressed areas, regions and communities in order to alleviate conditions of poverty and substantial and persistent unemployment and underemployment.

In addition, manufacturers received added help when President Bush issued an Executive Order on Tuesday promoting manufacturing research and development (R&D) in small businesses. The Order makes manufacturing-related R&D a priority in two complementary federal grant programs that target small business innovation. It will help focus tens of millions of dollars in additional research and development grants for small manufacturers. The Order comes directly from recommendations made in a comprehensive report by the Commerce Department, Manufacturing in America, that identified challenges facing the manufacturing sector and outlined recommendations that will aid American manufacturing and create jobs.

“U.S. manufacturers are a critical element of today’s economy,” said Evans. “You can be assured that this administration will be anything but complacent in its commitment to help create jobs and grow the manufacturing sector.”

Additional information on how EDA investments are helping distressed communities create a positive and sustainable economic future can be accessed at: http://www.doc.gov/eda.