Branstad, Reynolds announce ‘Year of Manufacturing’

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds held a press conference Monday to declare 2017 as the “Year of Manufacturing” in Iowa. ABI is proud to partner with the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State University and the Iowa Economic Development Authority to spearhead the effort.

ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton, president of Agri-Industrial Plastics, and Maureen Lockwood, manufacturing manager at Thombert, Inc., also spoke at the press conference about the need for qualified employees and the value of partnerships with organizations like CIRAS.

The primary areas of focus for the initiative include building a skilled workforce, promoting innovation and R&D, and improving global competitiveness.

“Advanced manufacturing is a significant driver of our state’s economy,” Gov. Branstad said in a press release. “Our administration is committed to strengthening the industry by encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and investment.”

Iowa has more than 6,100 manufacturers that contribute more than $29 billion to Iowa’s economy and employ more than 200,000 Iowans. “By tasking our state’s major economic development and advanced manufacturing entities in bringing these resources to the forefront, our hope is to elevate and bolster the state’s thriving advanced manufacturing sector and spur untapped growth in companies,” Lt. Gov. Reynolds said.  

Read more
Workforce, innovation priorities during Iowa Year of Manufacturing (The Gazette)
Workforce worries keep Iowa manufacturers up at night (Radio Iowa)