Rockefeller Talks Solutions With West Virginia Glass Manufacturers Who "Make it in America"

Press Release

Senator Jay Rockefeller today convened key West Virginia glass manufacturers as well as supporters of small business and the glass industry. They discussed the strong history and proud culture of glassmaking in West Virginia, as well as the difficulties that today's glass manufacturers face in an increasingly global economy. As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Rockefeller is exploring ways to create jobs and promote manufacturing in West Virginia and throughout America. This event marks Rockefeller's fourth "Make It in America" roundtable in West Virginia, and he will hold more discussions throughout the year.

"I'm proud of West Virginia's rich history and tradition of glassmaking," said Rockefeller. "Many Americans have a beautiful piece of West Virginia glass in their homes. Unfortunately, over time, that industry and manufacturing base has dwindled, and I want to hear directly from the West Virginia glass manufacturers who are still working to keep this tradition alive, about what we can do to revitalize the industry in West Virginia and help create jobs in our state. I have always believed that our West Virginia workforce can compete with anyone in the world, and I will continue to work in Congress to level the playing field for these small businesses. Each of the companies here today should be applauded for their deep commitment to building an American workforce. Hearing their ideas firsthand on how to enable the manufacturing industry to grow and create jobs will significantly help me as I work in Congress to help the manufacturing sector succeed."

While glassmaking was once an iconic industry in West Virginia, it has contracted. According to Workforce West Virginia, just 430 West Virginians are employed in the glassmaking industry, down from more than 1,800 in 2002. Rockefeller is working to identify the causes for this decline and will work to help this important industry as well as promote manufacturing and job creation in West Virginia.

Background:

On March 2, Rockefeller chaired a Senate Commerce Committee hearing entitled "The Future of American Manufacturing: Maintaining America's Competitive Edge." U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and House of Representatives member Steny Hoyer testified before the committee. More information, including Senator Rockefeller's opening statement and an archived webcast, are available here.

Rockefeller plans to hold another manufacturing hearing to examine how the government can work with the private sector to increase jobs and boost exports in this vital sector.

The Senate Commerce Committee has played a significant role in promoting advancements in U.S. manufacturing. Over 20 years ago, the Committee led the Congressional effort to create the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. Passed into law in 1988, MEP established a network of federal, state, and industry advisors to improve the productivity of American manufacturers.

This program was reauthorized in the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (COMPETES). COMPETES underscores the need to support not only advanced and innovative manufacturing processes, but also the preparation of future generations of highly-skilled American workers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

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