At the National League of Cities (NLC) 2016 City Summit in Pittsburgh, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto launched a new national manufacturing initiative
that aims to define a national policy agenda to support the growth of American manufacturing, empower local communities to leverage their assets to create new jobs in manufacturing, and strengthen workforce development to create a talent pipeline for advanced industries.
“Manufacturing remains a crucial driver of economic growth and job creation in cities across America, including Lansing, Michigan,” Mayor Bernero said. “But we have to double down on our efforts to help
this vital sector of our economy continue driving innovation, creating new jobs with good wages and benefits, and successfully competing in the global marketplace.”
On Thursday, Mayors Bernero and Peduto hosted a Manufacturing Initiative Roundtable in partnership with NLC and the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities (MAC), a national coalition of local leaders
founded by Mayor Bernero during the height of the auto crisis in 2008. NLC and MAC are now joining forces to strengthen the voice of mayors, city councils and city managers on national manufacturing
policies and to share best practices for attracting, retaining and growing advanced manufacturing in communities across the country.
The coalition plans to deliver a comprehensive National Manufacturing Agenda to President-elect Trump and the U.S. Congress next spring and to organize advocacy efforts around it.
“We look forward to working in a bipartisan manner to strengthen America’s manufacturing base and grow jobs in this vital sector. We have the most productive workers in the world and we can compete with the best anywhere, if the playing field is level,” said Mayor Bernero. “With the right partnerships and plan, we can help our
people compete and win in today’s global economy.”
Mayor Bernero will be a featured speaker at an NLC workshop on Making and Manufacturing on Saturday where he will highlight his administration’s strategic approach to growing the manufacturing sector and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in Lansing.
