Jobs, Economy & Small Business Archives - Page 29 of 36

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 21, 2016

Bustos Announces $4 Million in Federal Funding for Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced $4 million in federal funding for the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center in Peoria. The grant, from the U.S. Department of Labor’s “America’s Promise” program, will be used to grow regional partnerships between workforce agencies, education and training providers and employees. “Our region has a rich manufacturing history, […]

Press Release

September 22, 2016

Bustos Announces Agreement Between Illinois Department of Transportation and Federal Rail Administration for Extension on $177 million for QC to Chicago Rail

Bustos repeatedly pressured Governor Rauner to act before leaving millions of job-creating federal dollars on the table WASHINGTON, DC – Today Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that the Illinois Department of Transportation and Federal Rail Administration have agreed on an extension for the state of Illinois to use $177 million in federal funding for a Quad-City […]

News

September 22, 2016

Airport lands grant for taxiway

Originally appeared in the Quad-City Times. The Quad-City International Airport has received a $1.11 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for improvements to one of its taxiways. The grant was among more than $3 million in grants for Illinois airports announced Wednesday by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill, and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, […]

News

September 22, 2016

Feds award Rockford airport nearly $2.2M to upgrade taxiway

Originally appeared in the Rockford-Register Star. ROCKFORD — Chicago Rockford International Airport has landed more than $2.1 million in federal funds to widen and repave a taxiway to better accommodate wide-body airplanes. It’s the latest multimillion-dollar effort to improve the city’s airport and make it a regional business center. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, and […]