For Immediate Release: June 4, 2010
Contact: Cory Churches (202) 482-3809
Commerce Assistant Secretary lamb-Hale Emphasizes Importance of Supply Chain Efficiency to Support Jobs
BLOOMSDALE, Mo. –Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale highlighted the importance of supply chain efficiency in supporting the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI) today at the opening of a new cement plant in Bloomsdale, Mo. Lamb-Hale joined Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and Representatives Russ Carnahan and JoAnn Emerson in celebrating Holcim’s state-of-the-art facility.
“The International Trade Administration strives to help U.S. manufacturing be globally competitive, in both the export markets and here in the United States,” said Lamb-Hale. “The cement that will be manufactured here is a crucial raw material for a modern economy – this cement will help build the roads, buildings, and other structures that will make America productive and prosperous in the decades to come.”
Construction of the new plant created more than 2,500 construction jobs and will sustain more than 250 jobs going forward. Cement production from this plant may help reduce cement imports and maximize both energy and environmental efficiency.
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act hasn’t just saved and created jobs in the construction industry, it’s also been a lifeline to truckers, producers of cement and steel, and workers up and down the supply chain,” said Secretary LaHood. “This new plant is further evidence that smart infrastructure investments are creating jobs right now, while building a foundation for future growth.”
On April 29, Lamb-Hale announced that Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and LaHood had agreed to collaborate to promote interagency coordination in pursuit of a competitive and environmentally sustainable U.S. supply chain and freight transportation network.
“The Departments of Commerce and Transportation are involved in the effort to improve America’s freight infrastructure in order to meet our nation’s trade and competitiveness needs in the 21st Century,” said Lamb-Hale. “Improving America’s infrastructure will be crucial to the success of President Obama’s National Export Initiative to double exports in five years, create jobs, and rebuild America’s economy.”
The NEI provides more funding, more focus and more coordination to increase U.S. exports. The specific focus of the NEI includes: A more robust effort by this administration to expand its trade advocacy in all its forms, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises; improving access to credit with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses; and amplifying the government's focus on removing the barriers that prevent U.S. companies from getting free and fair access to foreign markets.
For more information, visit www.trade.gov.
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International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 77 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.
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