BRANSTAD, REYNOLDS KICK OFF YEAR OF MANUFACTURING TO ENCOURAGE GROWTH OF MANUFACTURING IN IOWA

Branstad, Reynolds kick off Year of Manufacturing to encourage growth of manufacturing in Iowa.

Administration sets goal of increasing manufacturing GDP $3 billion in 5 years.

DES MOINES – Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds formally kicked-off the “Year of Manufacturing.” Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds were joined by Dr. Maureen Lockwood, Manufacturing Manager at Thombert Inc., and Ms. Lori Schaefer-Weaton, President at Agri-Industrial Plastics Company and current board chair of the Association of Business and Industry.  Governor Branstad announced the establishment of this initiative during his Condition of the State Address in January in recognition of the importance of the advanced manufacturing industry to Iowa’s economy.

Manufacturing is a critical industry that impacts the state’s economic vitality.  In total, Iowa has over 6,100 manufacturers that contribute more than $29 billion to Iowa’s economy and employ over 200,000 Iowans.  In addition, Iowa consistently ranks among the top 10 states in terms of percentage of GDP derived from manufacturing.  To strengthen this integral industry, the goal of the Year of Manufacturing initiative is to increase Iowa’s manufacturing GDP from $29 billion to $32 billion by 2022.  The primary areas of focus include:

• Building a skilled workforce
• Promoting innovation and R&D
• Improving global competitiveness

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