Yesterday, as a part of National Manufacturing Month, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) hosted a roundtable discussion with local manufacturers from the greater Capitol region and representatives from statewide workforce development organizations. Kuster was joined by House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05), who has been leading House Democrats’ “Make It In America” jobs plan for the past five years. House Democrats are working to update the plan to address the challenges and opportunities in today’s economy to promote the creation of high-wage, private-sector jobs across the country. The roundtable provided local manufacturers and leaders from workforce development programs with a valuable opportunity to hear firsthand about how Congress can help New Hampshire foster a diverse and skilled workforce that will improve and strengthen manufacturing in the Granite State.

“The strength of New Hampshire’s economy is inexorably connected to the strength of our workforce and of our local manufacturers,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “Manufacturing has a long and proud history in the Granite State and across the country, and I am proud to convene today’s roundtable discussion to help make sure that our best and brightest young people are mastering the right skills to enter the workforce. I thank Whip Hoyer for taking the time to be a part of today’s important conversation, and I look forward to bringing today’s conversation with me back to Congress where I will continue to work with Whip Hoyer and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our workers and businesses are primed to succeed in the 21^st century.”

"Since coming to Congress, Rep. Kuster has been a tireless advocate for New Hampshire's manufacturing sector. She has been a leader of House Democrats' Make It In America plan, which seeks to make our economy more competitive and more attractive to businesses that create good jobs for American workers.  I look forward to continuing to work with Rep. Kuster to help manufacturers and businesses in the Granite State and across our country compete, expand, and hire for skilled jobs that pay well and open doors to a secure place in our middle class."

Since taking office, Kuster has made economic development and supporting workforce development one of her top priorities. During the roundtable, Kuster highlighted legislation that she recently introduced, the Workforce Development Investment Act, which provides a tax incentive to businesses that partner with community colleges and other educational institutions to strengthen workforce development for students. Kuster also discussed the Manufacturing Universities Act, which she has cosponsored and which would establish a process for designating 25 universities across the country as manufacturing universities, and provide grants to help these schools better meet the needs of modern manufacturing employers.

Since 2010, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer has been leading the Make It In America plan in the House to create jobs and grow the economy.  Recognizing that our economy has changed a lot in the past five years, Whip Hoyer launched an effort this past July to adapt and update the plan to meet new economic challenges and take advantage of new opportunities for 2015 and beyond. Since July, House Democrats have been holding a series of hearings entitled "Make It In America: What's Next?" to solicit input from Members of Congress, business leaders, labor organizers, innovators, and economists on how Congress can best help our nation’s businesses and workers compete and succeed in today’s economy. 

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