WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The administration of President Barack Obama has announced that a dozen communities will receive federal government aid to try and revive manufacturing plants, the White House said.
“US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker is announcing 12 new designated Manufacturing Communities,” the White House fact sheet, released on Friday, read.
The program was part of the Commerce Department’s Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership’ (IMCP) competition, according to the fact sheet.
Communities targeted in the initiative include ones in San Antonio, Pittsburgh, Louisiana, Idaho and Tennessee, the fact sheet said.
“These communities forged strong economic development plans and deep partnerships between the public and private sectors, positioning themselves for strong economic growth in the years ahead,” the White House stated.
The fact sheet also noted that strong foundations for durable manufacturing growth in the United States were based on local strategies that could take advantage of the communities’ existing strengths.
American manufacturing is vital to our economy. Find out what's next at the #MIIAWhatsNext hearing now —> http://t.co/py8k0gwG8k
— Penny Pritzker (@PennyPritzker) July 9, 2015
The IMCP “seeks to enhance the way we leverage federal economic development funds to encourage American communities to… [transform] themselves into globally competitive manufacturing hubs,” the White House said.
The program will involve 11 federal agencies, with more than $1 billion in economic development funds in an effort to boost regional manufacturing, it said.
