Speaking on behalf of the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC), located in Allentown, Pa., President and CEO Rich Hobbs said passage of the Innovation Act/America Competes Legislation would benefit Pennsylvania businesses.
Hobbs spoke during a virtual roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on July 13. The roundtable was called to discuss the supply chain and American manufacturing and served as a listening session for government officials and an update on the pending legislation.
Congresswoman Wild is a champion for manufacturing and for those of us that live and work in the Lehigh Valley,” Hobbs said. “One of the bills she introduces this congress is the Regional Innovation Act of 2021 that supports the development of Innovation Hubs in communities just like ours. It was the perfect opportunity to convey to the congresswoman and Secretary of Commerce how a Regional Tech Hub in the Lehigh Valley can benefit manufacturers and how policymakers can help manufacturers to compete and succeed globally.”
Hobbs said tech hubs could bolster manufacturing and the supply chain, resolve workforce shortages, and increase the domestic production of semiconductors. Passage of the American COMPETES Act would deliver investments into American businesses. He said the Senate legislation is less costly than a House version, which would deliver $52 billion in subsidies to the semiconductor industry.
Other manufacturers on the virtual roundtable included Mike Lovati, Head of Group Purchasing of North America, Mack/Volvo; Darrell Engel, Senior Director of Global Manufacturing, Allentown Site Leader, Infinera; and Ed Blair, President, Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.