Blank to tour manufacturing plant and highlight manufacturing, innovation and trade promotion and enforcement investments in the President’s FY13 Budget request
WASHINGTON – President Obama yesterday released his fiscal 2013 budget request, laying out his blueprint for an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, and skills for American workers. Tomorrow, Acting Deputy U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank will travel to Flint, Mich. to tour manufacturing facilities at Genesee Packaging, Inc., along with Flint Mayor Dayne Walling. Following the tour, Blank will highlight investments in the new budget proposal that will support U.S. manufacturers and help more American companies like Genesee sell their goods and services in markets abroad – both of which are top priorities of President Obama and U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. In addition, Blank will participate in a closed press roundtable with area business leaders at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce.
The FY13 budget requests $30 million for critical investments in trade promotion to help more U.S. businesses reach the 95 percent of consumers who live outside our borders. The budget also supports a new trade enforcement unit– the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC), which will enhance the Administration’s ability to challenge unfair trade practices around the world. Further, the budget request calls for $13 million for SelectUSA, a Commerce program designed to encourage, facilitate and accelerate foreign and domestic investment in the U.S. to create jobs and spur growth.
The Commerce Department currently helps support manufacturing, innovation and research and development in several ways, including through the Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). NIST MEP is a partner of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, which has served more than 12,000 manufacturing companies in the state, including Genesee Packaging, helping them grow and thrive. Commerce also recently created the National Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Program Office to bring together stakeholders and drive investments and initiatives in advanced manufacturing.
Blank was appointed acting deputy secretary in October, having served as Acting Secretary from August-October 2011. She joined the Obama Administration as the head of the Department’s Economics and Statistics Administration. Blank previously served as a member of President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisors.
WHO: Acting U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank
WHEN: Wednesday, February 15, 2012
9:15 to 10:00 am: Tour of Genesee Packaging plant
10:00 to 10:15 am: Deputy Secretary Blank will deliver remarks on manufacturing
10:15 to 10:30 am: Deputy Secretary Blank will be available for interviews
Media arrival time 9:00 am
WHERE: Genesee Packaging, 2022 North Street, Flint, Michigan 48505.
RSVP: This event is open to press. For media who wish to RSVP for this event, contact Sarah Horowitz at or at 202-482-4883 or Elaine Redd at or 810.600.1418.