Klobuchar, Franken: Federal Designation will Help Minnesota Medical Technology Industry Support and Create Manufacturing Jobs
Press Release
U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken today said the Minnesota's medical technology industry's designation as one of 12 "Manufacturing Communities" across the country by the U.S. Commerce Department will help the industry to support and create manufacturing jobs. The designated communities will receive coordinated support from 11 different federal agencies to develop their economic development strategies to obtain a portion of the more than $1 billion available in federal assistance.
"Minnesota has a long history of leadership in medical manufacturing--we are the state that invented the pacemaker," Klobuchar said. "This designation will help Minnesota stay at the forefront of medical innovation by creating jobs, boosting manufacturing, and moving our state's economy forward."
"With this new designation, we are sending the signal that if your company wants to succeed in this important industry, Minnesota is the place to be," Franken said. "So many great medical technology companies call Minnesota home because of our highly educated workforce, top-tier research partners, and a culture of innovation. This important designation will help create jobs, and allow our businesses to continue innovating and growing."
The designation officially went to the Minnesota Medical Manufacturing Partnership, which is made up of nonprofit, education, government and business organizations to promote medical device manufacturing in the state. The Partnership was selected by an interagency panel, based on the strength of its economic development plan, the potential for impact in the community, and the depths of the partnership across the public and private sectors to carry out the plans. The U.S. Commerce Department's designation came under the Obama administration's Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative.
"The federal designation sets our state and region apart," said Michael Langley, CEO of GREATER MSP, an organizational member of the Minnesota Medical Manufacturing Partnership. "It confirms and will strengthen our global leadership in medical technology."
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