US Delegation Visits Sheffield City Region
A high-level delegation from the US Congress has visited the Sheffield City Region (SCR) to learn about its growing reputation in advanced manufacturing.
Ron Kind, US Representative for Wisconsin's third congressional district, is an expert on small businesses, while Derek Kilmer, who represents Washington's sixth congressional district, has worked in economic development for over a decade. Both were keen to see the work of the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC).
The US is an important export market for the City Region, with the most recent figures showing that in 2015 the region exported manufactured goods worth £450mto the US.
The country has also has been the largest investor in the SCR between 2006-16, accounting for about 25 per cent of the investment coming into the region.
US investment includes Amazon's third fulfilment centre in Doncaster; the expansion at Premdor UK Holdings factory in Barnsley by Masonite International; Euramax International's expansion at its Barnsley site; and increased steel wire production at the Leggett and Platt plant in Grimethorpe.
Representative Kilmer said: "When I'm back home I say often that the role of government is to create more opportunities for more people in more places. It is clear that's what's happening in Sheffield City Region. I've learned a lot on my visit, and I hope that it leads to even stronger partnerships which create great jobs here and back home."
The congressmen were accompanied by Kilmer's chief of staff and Kind's legislative director. Also on the visit, arranged by the Department for International Trade, were Grant Kerr, senior congressional advisor at the British Embassy in Washington, and Meghan Ormerod, the senior trade policy advisor at the embassy.
The visit was accompanied by Mark Robson, DIT regional director Yorkshire; Cllr Denise Lelliott, cabinet member and Paul Woodcock, assistant director for planning, regeneration and transport for Rotherham Council; and David Campbell-Molloy, senior programme manager, and Tony Corby, senior business development manager, both from Sheffield City Region.
By: Stephen Farrell
Source: Insider Media Limited