Continuing her efforts to foster innovation and grow New Hampshire’s manufacturing sector, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) this week urged President Obama to bring the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership 2.0 program to the Granite State.

Last year, President Obama announced plans for a second round of the highly successful Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP). Initially launched in 2011, the program brought together leading manufacturers, research universities and the federal government for a series of four work sessions intended to identify ways to propel America’s growing advanced manufacturing sector. The sessions, located around the country, set the stage for the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation, among other initiatives.

Following the success of AMP 1.0, the Obama administration has announced plans for a second round of work sessions.  

“As your Administration works to schedule regional working sessions and forums for AMP 2.0, I urge you to arrange such a meeting in New Hampshire,” Kuster wrote Wednesday in a letter to the President. “The Granite State’s dynamic economy is the ideal backdrop for a discussion in the future of this advanced field.”

New Hampshire stands as a strong manufacturing hub for the region and for the country. Despite its small size, the Granite State ranks 6^th nationally in the number of new companies started each year. It is home to world-class manufacturers, nationally distinguished engineering schools, and a dynamic statewide manufacturing program within the Community College System.

“By hosting an AMP 2.0 work session, we hope to highlight the incredible work taking place here in New Hampshire to advance and grow the manufacturing field,” Kuster said. “As a host, the Granite State’s world-class engineering, manufacturing and educational institutions would be at the center of this important national conversation, and it would help us determine how to best help our small- and medium-sized manufacturers that represent the greatest opportunity for continued economic growth.”

Since taking office, Kuster has worked to nurture innovation and grow New Hampshire’s manufacturing sector. Last year, she called on President Obama to establish a Manufacturing Innovation Institute in New Hampshire to help drive manufacturing innovation, create jobs, and spur economic growth.  In this week’s State of the Union address, the President announced his intention to create an additional six high-tech manufacturing hubs this year.  Strengthening manufacturing is a key plank in Rep. Kuster’s Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Agenda.   

The full text of Kuster’s letter to President Obama is below:

January 29, 2014

Dear President Obama:

Thank you for your enduring dedication to maintaining our country’s leadership in the advanced manufacturing sector.  The continued efforts of your Administration send a clear message that the United States recognizes the critical role advanced manufacturing plays in securing high-quality jobs for American workers in the 21^st Century economy.  As you know, this sector represents more than 12% of our gross domestic product, so every effort we make to strengthen our manufacturing base yields significant benefits for our country.

The Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) 1.0 did a fantastic job in identifying the challenges, needs, and opportunities for our manufacturing sector.  In addition to setting the stage for the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation, AMP 1.0 recommendations serve as the handbook for securing our nation’s manufacturing competitiveness.  Knowing that manufacturing represents a more powerful economic multiplier than any industry, I am committed to working with you to ensure additional success for AMP 2.0.  Furthermore, I applaud the commitment made yesterday in your State of the Union address to develop six additional manufacturing hubs over the next year.  I pledge to compliment your efforts in Congress by working to pass legislation that further establishes the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation.

As your Administration works to schedule regional working sessions and forums for AMP 2.0, I urge you arrange such a meeting in New Hampshire.  Manufacturing is a critical industry for the economic vitality of my state and AMP 2.0 would benefit from the experience and expertise of our local manufacturers, academic institutions, and industry leaders who have already made great strides enhancing manufacturing in our region.

The Granite State’s dynamic economy is the ideal backdrop for a discussion on the future of this advanced field.  Despite its small size, New Hampshire ranks 6^th nationally in the number of new companies started each year.  Our state is home to world-class manufacturers, nationally distinguished engineering schools, and a dynamic statewide manufacturing program within our Community College System.  Public-private partnerships like Keene State’s College’s Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing (RCAM) are a New Hampshire tradition.  A successful model that should be emulated nationwide, RCAM brings together Keene State College, the Keene Chamber of Commerce, the Community College System of New Hampshire, the local school system, and leading manufactures in the region to resolve industry-wide challenges.

As a hub of population, manufacturing activity, highly-skilled workers, and cutting edge academia, New Hampshire is uniquely well-suited to host an AMP 2.0 working session or forum.  I stand ready to work with you and your Administration to arrange such a meeting, to strengthen American manufacturing, and to secure our country’s position as the world’s largest manufacturer of high-tech products.  Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Ann McLane Kuster
Member of Congress

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