President Barack Obama has directed his federal agencies to invest in new technologies that will create more jobs in advanced manufacturing.
The president has set a target of $500 million for the initiatives, with an initial $300 million coming from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Energy, Agriculture, Commerce, and other agencies.
Since taking office, Obama has always stood firm on the idea that the government must make investments in education, research, innovation, and infrastructure. In a very tough budgetary climate, Obama has found $500 million in existing funding to support his vision.
“We need to do what’s necessary to grow our economy; create good, middle-class jobs; and make it possible for all Americans to pursue their dreams,” Obama said. “We can’t simply cut our way to prosperity,” he added.
In his weekly address, filmed at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) on June 24, Obama introduced the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP).
The initiative brings together industry, research universities, and the federal government to invest in new technologies such as information technology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
Obama also highlighted RedZone Robotics, an innovative company that uses advanced manufacturing techniques. RedZone manufactures robots that locate and plug leaks in sewers and water pipes before they become bigger problems.
“This company is just one example of how advanced manufacturing can help spur job creation and economic growth across this country,” Obama said.
AMP is being led by Andrew Liveris, CEO of Dow Chemical, and Susan Hockfield, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Investments are being made in several areas such as material sciences ($100 million), advanced robotics ($70 million), and energy-efficient manufacturing ($120 million).
Several leading engineering universities such as MIT, CMU, and Stanford University, will work together to build a framework to share best practices in advanced manufacturing. They would also work with industry to define research opportunities in this area.
The partnership is strongly supported by manufacturers that believe that investments in emerging technologies such as advanced batteries, solar, and wind turbines are crucial to the survival of U.S. manufacturing.
Major U.S. manufacturers involved in the project include Honeywell, Intel, Johnson and Johnson, Northrop Grumman, and Procter and Gamble.
AMP is part of a concerted effort by Obama to support manufacturing and manufacturing jobs. Just three weeks ago, he was in Northern Virginia Community College, where he endorsed industry training programs that would provide suitable candidates for manufacturing jobs.
On June 13, he met with his Jobs and Competitiveness Council in Durham, N.C., to discuss ideas on job growth.
“It’s to renew the promise of American manufacturing. To help make sure America remains in this century what we were in the last—a country that makes things. A country that out-builds and out-innovates the rest of the world,” Obama said.
