Tong: America Home Base For Manufacturing, Invest In Bridgeport’s Port

From U.S. Senate candidate William Tong:

Stamford, CT — Continuing his series of Jobs and the Economy proposals, candidate for the United States Senate William Tong released the sixth of his initiatives today.

“Connecticut has always been a strong manufacturing state. We’re known internationally for jet engines, helicopters, submarines, and pharmaceuticals, and we have the early lead in fuel cells. We’ve been ahead of the curve in manufacturing, but like other states we’ve faltered some in recent years. We need to work to be the leader in advanced manufacturing for the 21st century–here in Connecticut and across America.”

“WE NEED A PLAN TO BECOME THE WORLD’S HOME BASE FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING.”

Tong noted that a recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report predicts resurgence in American manufacturing as wages and the standard of living rise in China. According to that report, net labor costs in the U.S. and China will converge around 2015.

“We need to layout an advanced manufacturing strategy–The 2015 Plan–to put Connecticut in position to be “home base” for the next generation of manufacturing and recapture market share as other nations become less competitive. We know that strategic government investment can make advanced manufacturing viable in America. These are good, well-paid, long-term jobs that grow our economy.”

I propose to:

* SUPPORT DOMESTIC ADVANCED MANUFACTURING by ensuring that American companies find a competitive environment right here at home, so they don’t have to turn to foreign manufacturing bases better supported by foreign governments. I support the appointment of a new national Manufacturing Czar to develop coordinated state and federal efforts to promote domestic advanced manufacturing.

* CREATE JOBS IN CONNECTICUT by further investing in our own advanced manufacturing centers. Today we make aircraft components, medical equipment, helicopters, and submarines. Tomorrow, with the right support, we will be making next-generation fuel cells and medical devices as well. As Senator, I will lead the effort to bring next-generation investment to Connecticut by directly engaging corporate leaders and marketing our state to businesses around the world.

* BUILD A RESEARCH TRIANGLE right here in Connecticut. We need to make the necessary investments to connect our university system, our state and federal governments, and our emerging industries. Cities like Boston and Palo Alto have long benefited from their research triangles. Silicon Valley had an incredible impact in California. Given our existing strength in fuel cells, why can’t Connecticut be the Hydrogen Valley of the future?

* EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE by encouraging American students to earn degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. That starts with strengthening our high school science programs, increasing funding to high-tech vocational schools, and better coordinating college degree programs with industry needs for the emerging workforce.

* KEEP CONNECTICUT COMPETITIVE by investing in our distribution transport links. We need to maintain and improve our deep-water ports and rail links in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Groton-New London. Bridgeport Harbor, for example, has not received necessary dredging since 1964, and Connecticut has no statewide port authority. Upkeep and improvement projects like these will create jobs in the construction sector too, which has been among the hardest hit by the recession.

“Real recovery demands strong investment in our future, not trade protectionism or empty gestures toward getting back jobs that have been lost overseas. The future of American manufacturing is high-tech, it’s advanced, and we need leaders in our government to fight for its development.”