Jobs, Economy & Small Business Archives - Page 19 of 50

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

May 31, 2018

Bustos & LaHood Announce new hiring at Peoria Ag Lab

Bustos & LaHood Pushed the USDA to end the effective hiring freeze after preventing closure Peoria, IL – In April, Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) wrote a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture asking them to end a functional hiring freeze at the Peoria Ag Lab. Specifically, several research positions […]

Press Release

May 31, 2018

Bustos Statement on Trump’s Decision to Expand his Trade War to Canada, Mexico and the European Union

Moline, IL – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s decision to impose aluminum and steel tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union. Earlier in the month, news broke that China, in response to President Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs against them, has canceled several shipments of soybeans […]

News

May 24, 2018

Congresswoman Bustos Applauds the House Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act

The bill includes amendments to strengthen the Rock Island Arsenal through creation of a new center of excellence for advanced manufacturing and address STEM jobs gap WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) voted for the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. This bill authorizes $639.1 billion in discretionary base budget authority for […]

Press Release

May 18, 2018

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos’ statement on the defeat of the Washington Republicans Fake Farm Bill

Bustos calls on Republicans to abandon partisan path and instead work with Democrats to draft a truly bipartisan Farm Bill Washington – Today, following the defeat of the Washington Republicans’ so-called Farm Bill, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, a member of Democratic House Leadership and the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement: “Instead of working with Democrats […]