Keeping the state competitive in the manufacturing industry was the focus of a recent Pennsylvania House Majority Policy Committee roundtable discussion, said state Rep. Bob Merski (D-Erie).
Members of the Committee toured Penn State Behrend in Erie Tuesday and discussed how opportunities available to students and manufacturers put the state at the forefront of manufacturing.
“Today was a great chance to show legislators just how much our corner of Pennsylvania is preparing to help make Pennsylvania a manufacturing leader, and it starts at the undergraduate level,” Merski said. “With resources like these, it’s clear our commonwealth is helping produce the next top manufacturing industry leaders and keep us competitive.”
Tour stops during the event included the Burke building on the Behrend campus, which houses the innovation commons and robotics lab, as well as the new Kyocera building housing a Japanese-based manufacturer that relocated its U.S. headquarters to campus after visiting Erie, as well as the future site of the Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center.
“Pennsylvania is a consistent leader in manufacturing, constantly in the top 10 states when it comes to output. But what many people might not know is that students and industry leaders in Erie are helping to lead the way,” said House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie). “We have incredible opportunities here for both students looking to further their manufacturing careers and manufacturers looking to increase innovation and production. It’s no wonder why global and nationwide companies are choosing Erie for new locations.”
After the tour, members of the committee sat down for a discussion on manufacturing competitiveness with Amy Bridger, Assistant Dean for Innovation and Corporate Strategy at Penn State Behrend, Penn State Behrend Chancellor Ralph Ford, and Matt Erickson, Facilities Manager for McInnes Rolled Rings.