'Make It In America': Should a Federal Program Supporting Manufacturing Be Permanent? (H.R. 2631)

What is H.R. 2631?

(Updated October 16, 2019)

This bill — the Make It In America Manufacturing Communities Act — would codify the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), which allows communities around the country to compete to receive preferential consideration for federal economic development funds. The Economic Development Administration (EDA), which is currently responsible for administering this program, would remain responsible for it.

To compete for funding through this program and earn the “Manufacturing Communities” designation, communities would create regional partnerships with key stakeholders, such as local and state economic development officials, local governments, manufacturers, labor organizations, and higher education or other training providers. To earn the Manufacturing Communities designation, communities would be required to demonstrate the significance of manufacturing in their region and develop strategies to utilize their “Manufacturing Communities” designation in making investments in six areas:

• Workforce training and retraining;
  
• Advanced research;
  
• Infrastructure and site development;
  
• Supply chain support;
  
• Promotion of exports and foreign direct investment; and
  
• Operational improvement and capital access for manufacturers that supports energy or process efficiency, equipment or facility upgrades, the development of business incubators, among other activities.

Argument in favor

American manufacturing needs a boost that this bill would provide. Creating regional manufacturing partnerships will help communities invigorate manufacturing, benefitting local economies and workers.

Argument opposed

Businesses should make enough money to support themselves without government assistance. If the manufacturing industry can’t be competitive without federal funds, it’s likely the case that it’s no longer right for the communities it’s struggling in.

Impact

Manufacturing industry; regional economic partnerships; Economic Development Administration; and the Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP).

Cost of H.R. 2631

Last Congress, the CBO estimated that this bill would cost $5 million over the 2018-2022 period for the Economic Development Administration to operate the program and to cover increased administrative costs to federal agencies that participate in the program.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) reintroduced this bill from the 114th and 115th Congresses to codify the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) and bolster American manufacturing. When he introduced this bill in the 115th Congress, Rep. Cicilline said:

“Good-paying jobs in manufacturing built Rhode Island’s middle class. It’s time we reclaim our identity as a leading center of American manufacturing and innovation. Let’s start making things in Rhode Island and America once again. I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Make it in America Manufacturing Communities Act. This bill will help Rhode Island better compete for federal funding to grow manufacturing jobs and strengthen our local economy. Let’s keep Rhode Island moving forward.”

This bill has five bipartisan cosponsors, including four Democrats and one Republican, in the current Congress. Last Congress, it had 12 bipartisan House cosponsors, including nine Democrats and three Republicans, and didn’t receive a committee vote.

Of Note: The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) was started by the Obama administration to incentivize and facilitate collaboration between private and public sector stakeholders in U.S. manufacturing communities. It seeks to support growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector, the creation of new manufacturing jobs, regional economic growth and increased federal support for regional economic and workforce development objectives.

Media:

• Sponsoring Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI) Press Release (115th Congress)
  
• CBO Cost Estimate (115th Congress)