Kilmer Praises Inclusion of Washington’s Aerospace Industry in New National Manufacturing Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) praised the news that Washington state’s aerospace sector was designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce as one of the first 12 Manufacturing Communities in their ‘Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP).’
The Puget Sound Regional Council – who will represent the aerospace community as part of this initiative – submitted the winning bid for Washington state. The initiative will support designated communities as they create plans to stay competitive by bringing new manufacturing and supply chain opportunities to American shores.
In the 6th District, the Washington Aerospace Manufacturing Community will include Clallam, Kitsap, and Pierce counties. This area includes Clover Park, Olympic and Peninsula Colleges, all part of the Air Washington consortium that won a $20 million grant to help train new workers for high-skilled aerospace jobs. Overall, more than 132,000 workers and 1,350 aerospace-related companies are part of the Washington Aerospace Manufacturing Community. In Pierce County alone, there are 3,767 aerospace workers and 101 aerospace businesses.
“Generations of Washington state aerospace workers and business owners have changed the way we travel and have strengthened our region's economy,” said Kilmer. “Our state is proud that, all around the world, you can find planes dreamed up in our engineering rooms and built on our factory floors with parts made here. We have the talent and capacity to continue to lead the world in the 21st century and this new initiative will help us maintain that edge. I was happy to support the Puget Sound Regional Council’s winning bid for our aerospace community and look forward to helping this industry seize new opportunities in places like the South Kitsap Industrial Area.”
In March, Rep. Kilmer sent a letter in support of the proposal to the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The Commerce Department made their IMCP selections based on communities that proved they had the capacity to merge workforce training, infrastructure, and research centers into a development plan that can attract and keep new manufacturing investments. The designated Manufacturing Communities will receive coordinated support for their development strategy from 11 federal agencies with $1.3 billion in available federal economic development funds.
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