Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 29, 2012

SCHUMER CALLS FOR JOB CREATING FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL ADVANCED MANUFACTURING IN THE HUDSON VALLEY

New Initiative From a Consortium of The Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing, The Solar Energy Consortium (TESC), Council of Industry, SUNY IT Will Focus on Manufacturing Innovations to Create and Sustain Jobs in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector

Schumer to U.S. Economic Development Administration: Create New Jobs Through Investment at The Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing

Today U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer called on the U.S. Economic Development Administration to invest in project that would create and sustain new jobs in the region. A proposal submitted by The Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing (C-GAM) and a consortium of several partners including The Solar Energy Consortium (TESC), the Council of Industry and SUNY IT would support the growth of advanced manufacturing and bring jobs to the Hudson Valley.

“This exciting partnership forged by The Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing, SUNY IT, the Council of Industry, TESC and others to conduct cutting-edge advanced manufacturing here in the Hudson Valley is about one thing: jobs, jobs, jobs. That is why I am strongly urging the federal Economic Development Agency to make this investment,” said Senator Schumer.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration makes funding available through the Advanced Manufacturing Jobs Accelerator program that is designed to foster job creation, increase public and private investments, and enhance economic prosperity by harnessing the economic growth and job creation potential resulting from advanced manufacturing activities within high-growth industry clusters that have been identified by regional stakeholders. This initiative is designed to leverage existing financial and technical resources from five distinct Federal agencies through awards to approximately 12 projects that will be selected through competitive multi-agency grants. Funds awarded to the selected applicants will be used to achieve measurable outcomes.

In a letter to Acting Assistant Secretary for Economic Development, Matt Erskine, Senator Schumer said, “This is an industry-led consortium working to encourage the growth of a critical industry in New York State, and I applaud The Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing for its foresight. I sincerely hope its application for funding meets with your approval.” A copy of Senator Schumer’s letter appears below:

June 29, 2012

Matt S. Erskine

Acting Assistant Secretary

U.S. Economic Development Administration

U.S. Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Avenue, NW

Suite 7800

Washington, DC 20230

Dear Mr. Erskine:

I am writing in support of The Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing’s application for the 2012 federal Advanced Manufacturing Jobs and Innovation Accelerator funding opportunity. As I understand, C-GAM is a new consortium comprising The Solar Energy Consortium (TESC), the Council of Industry, SUNY IT, and several other key partners.

This Accelerator grant targets a number of U.S. policy areas for urgent and meaningful attention: assist industry clusters that are moving into advanced manufacturing; repatriate jobs back to the U.S.; retain and grow direct domestic investment; attract foreign direct investment; encourage the growth of small and medium business enterprises; and expand training opportunities so that U.S. workers can attain higher skill jobs.

Additionally, these activities are to be concentrated in geographic areas of high unemployment and low per capita incomes. This is an industry-led consortium working to encourage the growth of a critical industry in New York State, and I applaud The Center for Global Advanced Manufacturing for its foresight. I sincerely hope its application for funding meets with your approval.

Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need additional information.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

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