The plan calls for action on a number of fronts to establish a broad
policy framework that will enable economic growth in this key sector, which
employs nearly 13 million people in the U.S. and six million in related
fields.
The June 21
edition of
USA Today included an editorial by Andrew N.
Liveris, chairman and CEO of the Dow Chemical Co., which outlined his company’s
vision for an “Advanced Manufacturing Plan” to rejuvenate the U.S. economy,
re-grow jobs, and allow the manufacturing industry to compete successfully
again in the global marketplace.
The plan calls
for action on a number of fronts to establish a broad policy framework that
will enable economic growth in this key sector, which employs nearly 13 million
people in the U.S.
and six million in related fields. As part of an integrated and strategic
approach that will incentivize manufacturers to create the jobs of the future,
Liveris recommends a focus on:
- New infrastructure that
modernizes our nation’s communication networks; electric grids; and air, sea
and land transportation systems
- Investment in R&D,
which has proven to lead to economic growth, greater worker productivity and
higher standards of living
- Funding for education to
enhance key skills for manufacturing in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics
- A “pro-trade” policy to
create reciprocal market access with important trading partners
- An alternative energy
strategy that encourages efficiency, lower carbon alternatives and an expanded
traditional supply
- Smart regulatory reform to
ensure product innovation isn’t bogged down by regulations that lack a solid
scientific basis
- Lowering corporate taxes
and issuing R&D tax credits to incentivize manufacturing companies to
operate in the U.S.
- Civil justice reform to
control spiraling costs.
The
USA Today editorial
appeared the same day Dow hosted Vice President Joe Biden at its global
headquarters in Midland, MI, where the company displayed several of its major
green tech initiatives that address global energy needs and will create
thousands of well-paying jobs.
To
read the full article, visit
www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/2010-06-18-Liveris21_st_N.htm.
