Congresswoman Jackie Speier will present her third Make It In America exhibit at the San Mateo County Fair June 15 and 16, 2013. Over a dozen American companies, many of them local, will show their products.

America has many opportunities to expand manufacturing. We need to focus on four core areas:  Adopting a national manufacturing strategy, export promotion, encouraging manufacturers to bring jobs back to the US, and training a 21st century workforce.

Congresswoman Speier on a Zero Motorcycle at last year's Make It In America exhibit

Legislation

Over 30 Make it in America bills have been introduced in Congress to address these core areas.  We need to create opportunities for Americans who have multiple interests, including those who enjoy using their intellects and their hands to create the tools and tangible products of a modern economy. 

Congresswoman Speier tours Kelly-Moore Paints in San Carlos on July 13, 2012

Opinion Pieces by Congresswoman Speier

San Mateo Daily Journal and Huffington Post: Make it in America once again

San Jose Mercury News: To encourage U.S. industry, buy Made in America 

Facts about American Manufacturing

•    Manufacturing generated $1.8 trillion in GDP in 2011, 12.2% of US GDP.
•    $1 spent in manufacturing generates $1.35 in additional economic activity.
•    In 2010, manufacturing jobs on average paid (including benefits) $38.27 per hour vs. $32.84 for other sectors of the economy.
•    About 12 million Americans are employed directly by manufacturers.  When related occupations such as transportation or advertising or retail sales are included, as many as 5 million more Americans may be earning a living through the manufacturing sector.
•    According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Manufacturing real value added—a measure of an industry’s contribution to GDP—rose 6.2 percent in 2012, after increasing 2.5 percent in 2011. Durable-goods manufacturing, the largest contributor to overall growth in the economy for the third consecutive year, increased 9.1 percent, after increasing 6.8 percent in 2011 and 13.3 percent in 2010. “
•    While the US has lost an estimated 4 million manufacturing jobs since 2008, the transformation of manufacturing means that employers sometimes cannot find employees with the math and technical skills that are needed to fill jobs that are being created.  As many as 600,000 highly-technical jobs may be unfilled despite stubbornly high unemployment. 
•    Manufacturing accounts for 69% of private-sector R&D spending.
•    “On-shoring” of manufacturing is a nascent phenomenon as labor costs overseas increase and disruptive technologies made in the US contribute to economic recovery in the US. 
•    Consumers can make a difference. ABC News estimated that 200,000 new jobs could be created if every American spent just $64 more per year on American-made products.