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MCC Daily Tribune

Gillibrand Visits Downtown Campus to Announce Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2022

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand visited MCC's Downtown Campus on Feb. 24 to announce her Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2022. 

She was joined by Acting Provost & Vice President of MCC’s Student and Academic Services Kimberly McKinsey-Mabry; Mayor Malik Evans; Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bob Duffy; New York State Assemblymembers Sarah Clark, Jen Lunsford, and Demond Meeks; New York State Sen. Samra Brouk; and Rochester Building and Construction Trades Council President Grant Malone. (See attached image by Bailey Burritt.)

“It’s going to take hard work and smart federal investments to get supply chains back on track after two years of pandemic-related disruptions,” said Sen. Gillibrand. “That’s why I’m introducing the Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act of 2022 – legislation that uses current federal resources to invest in public-private partnerships building the next generation of leaders in manufacturing. By taking a community-based approach, we can invest in innovative groups, schools, and businesses, just like Monroe Community College, and recruit American workers to help rebuild our national supply chain. New York is already a leader in this space, and this long-term investment will empower businesses to create good-paying manufacturing jobs that fit the needs of individual communities right at home in America.”

"Advanced manufacturers hire the vast majority of our graduates from our precision machining and optics programs," said Dr. McKinsey-Mabry, one of the speakers at the news conference. "Our strategic partnerships with employers help ensure that our programs build bridges to stronger futures for our students and for our community."

MCC President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, who was not able to attend the event, issued a statement of support: “MCC is grateful for Senator Gillibrand’s leadership and commitment to strengthening America’s manufacturing workforce pipeline. As the only U.S. community college that offers an associate degree in optical systems technology, Monroe Community College is inspiring the way forward to educate and train students for success in advanced manufacturing based on the opportunities and positions employers are looking to fill now. By working together, we will ensure access and opportunity to high-demand manufacturing careers especially for those disproportionately affected by the pandemic and economically at risk.”

This new program incentivizes private-public partnerships by empowering the Secretary of Commerce to designate consortiums as “Manufacturing Communities,” which would be eligible for federal financial and technical assistance designed to expand and support domestic manufacturing. Gillibrand’s bill would help strengthen the U.S. manufacturing base, encourage domestic public-private partnerships, and help local businesses cut through bureaucratic red tape to address ongoing pandemic-related supply chain disruptions that continue plaguing local economies.  

One of 24 communities nationwide designated as a “manufacturing community,” Rochester secured the designation in 2014.

The news release is available on MCC's website.

Attached Files:
Sen Gillibrand_other speakers_2-24-22.jpg

Hency Yuen-Eng
Government and Community Relations
02/28/2022