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

November 20, 2019

BUSTOS RAISES LOCAL BUSINESS SUCCESSION PLANNING CONCERNS TO SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Bustos Raises Questions After Hearing Concerns from Local Business Leaders WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) requested information from the Small Business Administration (SBA) regarding services they offer for business succession planning. Congresswoman Bustos raised these questions after listening to the experiences of community business leaders at economic roundtable discussions this year in Canton, […]

Press Release

November 15, 2019

BUSTOS STATEMENT ON EXPORT-IMPORT BANK REAUTHORIZATION

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement after she helped pass The United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019 out of the House, which would reauthorize and expand the Export-Import Bank for ten years: “The Export-Import Bank supports hundreds of jobs in our community and contributes to the economic well-being […]

Press Release

November 4, 2019

ICYMI: BUSTOS INTRODUCES SIX NEW PIECES OF LEGISLATION TO GROW OUR WORKFORCE, SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROTECT FIRST RESPONDERS

Bustos’ Bill to Provide Relief to Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Clears Committee WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) introduced six new pieces of legislation during the month of October to fight for hardworking Illinoisans, grow our workforce, spur economic growth, protect first responders and implement key […]

Press Release

October 22, 2019

BUSTOS, DURBIN, JONES INTRODUCE NEW BILL TO INVEST IN AMERICAN WORKFORCE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Doug Jones (D-AL) today introduced new bicameral legislation that increases federal investments in worker training and helps prepare workers for the jobs of the future. The Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act would ensure that American workers have the skills needed […]