Editor's note: This post was originally published on the Commerce Blog.
Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank and JCourosef Kerscher, the President of BMW Manufacturing, stand in front of a BMW X5. (Courtesy of Commerce.gov)
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank visited BMW Manufacturing today and delivered remarks on the President’s plan to make America a magnet for jobs and manufacturing. The Deputy Secretary highlighted the President’s proposals for a new Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership, the SelectUSA program, and the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation. Blank’s visit comes on the heels of President Obama’s State of the Union Address, in which he outlined a broad agenda for revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, spurring innovation, and accelerating export growth.
During her remarks, Blank emphasized key Commerce programs that will drive President Obama’s “Make America a Magnet for Jobs by Investing in Manufacturing” plan. For example, Commerce is going to lead a team of federal agencies in the new Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership. The President has proposed a new program to support communities that do the hard work and analysis to identify key projects that will bolster their ability to attract investment. A competitive process will select communities that have done effective planning but need a little help to build additional assets.