Jobs, Economy & Small Business Archives - Congresswoman Cheri Bustos

Growing our economy and creating jobs

While America has rebounded from the depths of the great recession, too many hardworking families in the heartland are still waiting for the economic recovery to arrive.

For me, there’s nothing more important than making sure we’re doing all we can to grow Illinois’ economy by creating an economic environment where businesses can succeed. But, as we work to achieve these goals, we also need to make sure we’re doing it in a way that strengthens working families, grows our middle-class and creates good-paying jobs across Illinois.

Bringing 21st Century Manufacturing and Jobs to our Region

I’m working to help jump-start the next Industrial Revolution right here in Illinois. Recently, I was proud to help bring the first two Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute chapters to Rockford and the Quad-Cities. This program will help these communities position themselves as global leaders in advanced engineering by connecting local industries to advanced tools and expertise. Additionally, by partnering with government and academic institutions, the Digital Manufacturing Labs will help prepare our workers for 21st century manufacturing jobs.

I also worked to help the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council earn designation as one of just 12 regions in the country to be a part of the U.S. Commerce Department’s Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership Program. This collaborative effort will strengthen the earthmoving industry in Peoria by improving local parts supply chains, addressing infrastructure challenges that prevent existing businesses from expanding, and investing in workforce training to connect workers with the skills they need for local manufacturing jobs.

My vision for our region is simple – I believe that by focusing on revitalizing our manufacturing triangle region, we will help attract new employers and prepare our workers for the manufacturing jobs of the future. It’s not going to be easy, but nothing worth fighting for ever is.

Leveling the Playing Field

We have some of the best workers in the world, but far too often, we’re competing on an uneven global economic playing field that has resulted in too many good-paying jobs being shipped overseas to places like China and India. My standard for trade deals is pretty straight forward – if it doesn’t grow our economy and strengthen working families in Illinois, I won’t support it. But, I also think we need to take steps to eliminate any financial and tax incentives that make it easier for big corporations to outsource our jobs. Instead, we need to focus on ways to incentivize these companies to invest in our workforce and invest in American manufacturing. These are just a few of the reasons why I’m so proud to support the “Make It in America” jobs plan.

Helping Small Businesses Expand

Small businesses create two out of every three new jobs in America, so their ability to succeed is absolutely critical to our economic future. This is why I introduced a new bill that would help small and mid-sized manufacturers gain access to new markets to increase their business. The Boosting America’s Exports Act would help small businesses and startup entrepreneurs reach their full potential by connecting them with the tools and resources they need to begin exporting American-made products to consumers around the world. By helping them expand into new markets and increase American exports, we’ll create thousands of good-paying jobs and opportunities here at home.

Below are several recent updates about the work I’m doing to grow Illinois’ economy.

More on Jobs, Economy & Small Business

Press Release

April 20, 2018

Bustos & LaHood write USDA seeking to end functional Hiring Freeze at the Peoria Ag Lab

Bustos & LaHood worked across the aisle in 2017 and 2018 to protect the Ag Lab from closure under the President’s budget Peoria, IL – Today, Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) sent a letter to United States Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky calling for an end to the hiring freeze […]

Press Release

April 18, 2018

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos statement on Washington Republicans partisan “Farm Bill”

The Farm Bill passed through the House Agriculture Committee today along a party-line vote. If this bill becomes law, it will harm small towns by slashing $500 million from rural development, cutting $800 million in conservation spending, stripping farmers of crop insurance choices and it’s projected to kick one million working poor off nutrition assistance. […]

Press Release

April 5, 2018

Congresswoman Bustos Statement on how the Trump’s Trade Actions hurt Hardworking Farmers Across the Heartland

MOLINE, IL – Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL), member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement following China’s announcement to impose tariffs on US imports in retaliation to President Trump’s plan to place tariffs on Chinese goods. “President Trump’s actions are hurting hardworking families across the Heartland. Now that he’s started a trade war, […]

Press Release

April 4, 2018

Bustos, Durbin, Duckworth announce more than $3 million in Department of Transportation Funding For Rock Island County Mass Transit

MOLINE, IL –U.S. Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) announced $3,165,000 in grant funding for the Rock Island Co. Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK). The funding, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Bus and Bus Infrastructure Program, will be used to purchase electric buses, charging […]

12 3 4 5...10 20 30...›»