WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to identify policy solutions to strengthen economic recovery and create more jobs, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce President Laurie White joined U.S. Senator Jack Reed, Senate Democrats, and business leaders from across the country for a jobs summit in the U.S. Capitol.  The roundtable was hosted by the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee and featured 10 U.S. Senators and members of local and state Chamber of Commerce officials who discussed ongoing efforts to strengthen state economies.

Participants emphasized the need for the Senate to continue focusing on local business priorities, which include support for small businesses, providing increased access to capital, and investing in workforce development programs.

“My top priority is growing jobs and opportunities in Rhode Island.  Today’s forum was a chance to discuss ways the private sector and government can more effectively work together to help Americans get jobs.  Economic growth begins with the middle-class and Congress needs to do a better job of investing in our workforce, infrastructure, small businesses, and education system.  That means creating incentives for businesses to hire, spurring new industries, and reenergizing our manufacturing sector.  But it also means strengthening our infrastructure, making college and health care more affordable, and empowering people to develop the skills they need to compete for good-paying, sustainable jobs,” said Reed.

The Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce works to foster the development of a positive and productive business climate for the community through economic development, business-to-business relationship building, and effective public policies and government. 

“Today’s dialogue highlighted the importance of collaboration in the creation, implementation and long term viability of policies that encourage, support and accelerate economic growth and business development in Rhode Island,” White said.  “From sustained investment in our workforce training programs, to funding for key transportation initiatives and supporting advanced innovation as a positive source of economic development, the candid conversation addressed the concerns of large and small firms across various industries in Rhode Island.  I am grateful to Senator Reed for including me in this dialogue and look forward to working with our entire delegation in finding the resources and solutions to address challenges facing Rhode Island businesses and their employees.”

Senator Reed noted one important step Congress should swiftly take is to replace the across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester with a more balanced approach that combines job-creating investments with targeted cuts and revenue measures that close tax loopholes and ensures all Americans pay their fair share.  Ending the sequester would put more Rhode Islanders back to work.  Senator Reed voted for the Senate-passed fiscal year 2014 budget, which would invest $100 billion in a targeted jobs and infrastructure package that would start creating new jobs quickly, begin repairing the worst of our crumbling roads and bridges, and help train our workers to fill 21st century jobs.  However, several Republicans are blocking the Senate and U.S. House of Representatives from setting up a public budget conference to reconcile the different versions of the Senate and House-passed budgets.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Reed has worked hard to help Rhode Island develop and expand its airport, railways, and port infrastructure to generate new business, jobs, and income for the state and local communities.  He helped pass the MAP-21 transportation bill to provide Rhode Island over $537 million over two years to help the state make critical transportation improvements.   He also helped direct $110 million in federal aviation funds to modernize T.F. Green Airport and expand the runway.  He has also worked for nearly two decades to successfully direct more than $100 million in federal funding to upgrade the state’s port infrastructure, including freight rail, piers, roadways, and bridges.

Senator Reed is working with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) on legislation that would build on President Obama’s proposal and create a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation and wants to bring a new high-tech manufacturing hub home to Rhode Island.  Specifically, their bill would establish public-private Institutes that leverage investments to bridge the gap between basic research and product development, provide shared assets to help companies—particularly small and medium-size manufacturing enterprises—access cutting-edge capabilities and equipment, and create an environment to educate and train students and workers in advanced manufacturing skills.  Each Institute would serve as a regional hub of manufacturing excellence, providing the innovation infrastructure to support regional manufacturing and ensuring that our manufacturing sector is a key pillar in an economy that is built to last.  This model has been successfully deployed in other countries and would address a gap in the U.S. manufacturing innovation infrastructure.  In May, President Obama launched a nationwide competition to create three new “Manufacturing Innovation Institutes” with a federal commitment of $200 million that is already in the budget.