American manufacturing creating jobs, strengthening transportation infrastructure across the country

All across the country, transportation investments have played a critical role in reviving our manufacturing sector. Manufacturing built our country and created our middle class, and this Administration knows that if we want to remain the world’s greatest nation, we must continue to build things.

That’s why, later today I will join representatives from the BlueGreen Alliance, a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy, at a White House forum on “Creating Jobs and Building Better Communities Through Transit Investment.”

 
Workers at United Streetcar in Oregon show off newly made transit parts

At this session, we'll discuss ways to strengthen America's communities by continuing to enforce our Buy America provisions, developing all-American manufacturing supply chains, and enhancing partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels around economic development and infrastructure investment.

This summer, President Obama signed MAP-21 into law, which will create good-paying jobs and put Americans back to work repairing our nation’s infrastructure. And because it reinforces our Buy America requirements for road, bridge, rail, and transit projects, MAP-21 also furthers our commitment to building transportation projects with American hands and American-made parts and supplies.

Our Buy America policies create and support good-paying jobs that benefit hardworking families and industries that are important to the American economy – industries from iron ore mining and steel production to rail manufacturing and electronics.

Since day one, we’ve made it tougher to bypass Buy America requirements. And we’re holding our own feet to the fire by posting waiver requests online and sharing them through email alerts. This makes the process transparent. It also makes it easier for even the smallest American employers to seize a business opportunity making the parts sought in the waiver request.

These changes are making a difference. In the Federal Transit Administration alone, we have reduced Buy America waivers from more than 40 in 2009 to just 3 in 2012.

That means more jobs in America throughout the supply chain.

We’re also continuing to partner with the NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) from the Department of Commerce, which has established a solid track-record of success connecting manufacturers with American suppliers.

Investments in rail present a particularly significant opportunity for American manufacturing. Since President Obama took office, we have invested more than $12 billion in our intercity passenger rail network, and the benefits of that investment don’t end in the cities building new tracks.

New rail manufacturing plant in Illinois will employ hundreds of American workers

Thanks to the growing network of rail suppliers, the benefits extend to nearly every state in the country.  Construction materials and equipment for our new rail projects are coming from facilities in 49 different states.

For example, as the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and California begin to update their equipment, we’re looking at more than $750 million worth of locomotives and railcars.  From the biggest engines to the smallest bolts and circuits, those parts are going to be made right here in America.

Together with great partners like the BlueGreen Alliance and American enterprises of all shapes and sizes, we can continue building a transportation system that is the envy of the world. And we can build a manufacturing sector that gives families across the nation a fair shot at the American dream.

Comments

[Raney's Truck]

Manufacturing is always going to be the best thing for our economy. Creating something the rest of the world needs is crucial to keeping our position as a first world nation.

[Tim Ockerman]

Here's the thing though, I understand President Obama motive, but these jobs are just temporarily. Building up the infrastructure in the United States will just put the band aid on the big gash in this economy. The deficit needs to be lowered and not just talked about, I mean actually lowered, we can't afford any higher, we just can't. if it goes higher we will have to raise taxes on corporations which will just hurt the job crises.

[Search Engine Optimization Companies]

The growing rail network will definitely benefits every state. It will saves the journey time and money. Proper money investment is required in every business for its success. President Obama did very well by signing MAP-21 as this will provide jobs to many citizens.

[James]

Its great to see such a focused effort on buy American strategies and the entire process including the supply chain. Good article!

[Elinor Heyman]

I just hope its gonna be a transportation that is an envy to the world. It seems that its gonna be a good idea and quality of the materials used for the construction sounds good, I guess and I hope.

[cheap jersey]

Here, I understand the motivation of President barack Obama, but the work is only temporary. Infrastructure construction in the United States will only make the band aid in a big crack in the economy. Deficit need to cut, not just talked about, I mean actually reduced, we can't afford any more, we just can't. If a higher we will have to raise taxes on enterprise, will only hurt job crisis.

[Rachel]

Hi Tim Ockerman, I understand what you mean, it is like putting a band aid over the problem but is that not the best that can be done in this situation? Is it not better than doing noting?
Developing jobs in the maufacturing industry is key to building the economy back up. We have the stastics to prove, so for the time being, until more effective procedures can be put in place I think Obama should continue what he is doing.