Citing 268,000 New Private Sector Jobs Created, Brown Urges Renewed Focus on Attracting New Jobs to Ohio

Press Release

More than 268,000 private sector jobs were created in the United States in April, marking the 14th consecutive month of private sector job creation. While our economy was losing 700,000 jobs per month as President Obama took office, we have now seen an estimated 2.1 million private sector jobs that have been created over 14 consecutive months. Manufacturing and mining sectors experienced job gains. In response to these new job numbers, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement:

"Ohioans are eager to get back to work and Congress needs to continue its focus on creating jobs rather hashing out ideological fights," Brown said. "We're seeing strong private sector jobs growth. Commonsense legislation that closes tax loopholes for companies that send American jobs overseas and encourages small business development can lead to a stronger economy and put bring middle class jobs to Ohio."

In the goods-producing sector of the economy, manufacturing employment rose by 29,000 in April. Since reaching an employment low in December 2009, manufacturing has added 250,000 jobs, including 141,000 in 2011.

As Chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and a member of the Senate Manufacturing Caucus, Brown has introduced a package of key legislative proposals aimed at bolstering the competiveness of U.S. manufacturers and boosting domestic manufacturing. He also serves as a member of the President's Export Council, working to advance the National Export Initiative (NEI) and reach President Barack Obama's goal to double exports over the next five years.

During the State Work Period last year, Brown traveled around Ohio meeting with small business owners and workers as part of his "Made in Ohio Tour." Described as "Congress' leading proponent of American Manufacturing," Brown is working with the Obama Administration on the creation of a national manufacturing policy and has outlined six key areas of focus to invest in the manufacturing industry:

* Creating a business climate, through tax and health care policies, favorable to investment in manufacturing;

* Investing in the manufacturing capacity for national priorities such as clean energy and critical military equipment;

* Strengthening our component supply chains through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP);

* Matching dislocated workers with emerging industries through sector-based workforce training strategies;

* Making the research and development tax credit permanent to lend predictability to this crucial incentive for manufacturing innovation;

* Promoting exports and defending against unfair trade.

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