Letter to Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce - Brown Urges Commerce to Support Magnet in Build Back Better Challenge

Letter

Dear Secretary Raimondo:

With a long history of leading the country in manufacturing innovation, Northeast Ohio is prepared to play an important role in strengthening and increasing the resilience of our nation's supply chains. That is why we write to express support for the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) --Phase Two proposal to EDA's "Build Back Better Regional Challenge." MAGNET has partnered with manufacturers, nonprofits, academic institutions, and civic organizations to develop a "smart manufacturing and advanced materials cluster in Northeast Ohio" that promotes domestic supply chain and manufacturing resilience. As you and your team at EDA determine Phase Two awardees, we ask that you give this application full and fair consideration.

Manufacturing is critical to the economic vitality of Ohio and the nation. Ohio is the third largest manufacturing state in the nation in terms of jobs and economic output. In Northeast Ohio, manufacturing is a $46 billion industry directly employing nearly 300,000 people, indirectly supporting over one million jobs, and accounting for 40 percent of the state's Gross Domestic Product. The region is a leader in smart manufacturing, an approach that leverages data processing, robotics, 3D printing, and other technology advancements to maximize manufacturing adaptability.

A Phase Two award would help transform the region by enabling MAGNET to fund Northeast Ohio's Advanced Manufacturing Cluster: Smart Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Project. The proposal is supported by more than 250 private, public, and nonprofit organizations. This project is also met with robust levels of non-federal funding, with a projected 28 percent local match for the project, further demonstrating the level of regional support of this application. The project would bring smart manufacturing and advanced technology innovation to the region, while encouraging inclusive growth and workforce development. Northeast Ohio has engaged in manufacturing cluster development for decades, and the Advanced Manufacturing Cluster encompasses an estimated 700 firms, 45,000 workers, and $12 billion in Gross Regional Product.

MAGNET is a proud part of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) as a subgrantee from the State of Ohio's MEP program. Their Phase Two Proposal represents one of the most significant economic development collaborations ever assembled in Northeast Ohio and leverages existing structures, initiatives, and assets to maximize economic impact in the 18-county region. This proposal will spur prosperity and job growth in Northeast Ohio, increasing supply chain resiliency and establishing the region as a national hub for advanced manufacturing workforce development and innovation.

We strongly support this proposal and urge you to provide it your full consideration.

Sincerely,

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