YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Language that would establish a national network of manufacturing hubs modeled on America Makes is included in omnibus legislation that will go before the U.S. Senate this week, the office of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown announced today.

The language is based on the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act, co-sponsored by Brown, D-Ohio, and U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, which would establish a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation.

The initiative brings together industry, universities and community colleges, federal agencies and all levels of government to accelerate manufacturing innovation in technologies with commercial applications. These public-private institutes leverage resources to bridge the gap between basic research and product development.

The pilot center for the initiative, originally known at the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute and now called America Makes, opened downtown in 2012.

The bill focuses the nation’s strengths “toward a common goal” of revitalizing American manufacturing and innovation, Brown said. 

“A Network for Manufacturing Innovation would foster public-private partnerships that give small businesses, industry leaders, and research institutions the tools they need to compete on a global scale,” he continued. “These regional, industry-led hubs will leverage local expertise and will create thousands of high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs for American workers. We’ve seen it work in Youngstown, now it’s time to advance this effort nationwide.”

Pictured: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Bravura 3D owners Brian Alls and Jessie Tuscano at the Youngstown Business Incubator during an October visit by Brown to promote his legislation.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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