Press Release

Senator Gillibrand Tours Boyce Technologies, Announces New Bipartisan “Made In America Manufacturing Communities Act” To Grow Manufacturing Industry In Queens

Aug 8, 2016

Long Island City, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today toured Boyce Technologies in Queens and announced her bipartisan Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act legislation. Senator Gillibrand’s legislation would grow the manufacturing industry and help create good-paying jobs in Queens by creating a permanent program that designates local regions as “Manufacturing Communities,” which would put them in the front of the line to receive federal economic development funding specifically for the purpose of investing in manufacturing.

“New York City has one of the most diverse and talented workforces in the entire country, and that makes us perfectly positioned for a manufacturing boom,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bipartisan legislation would unlock millions of dollars in federal economic development funds for smart investments in high-impact projects and leverage public-private partnerships to help create good-paying manufacturing jobs in Queens, jumpstart new businesses, and grow our economy for years to come.”

“The most important business issues we face here in Queens revolve around diversity, innovation and jobs. This bill sponsored by Senator Gillibrand will go a long way to help keep and grow businesses in Queens. Boyce Technologies is a wonderful example of each of these three key components. The Queens Chamber is steadfast in its resolve to support initiatives that encourage and allow businesses such as Boyce to flourish; locally, domestically and internationally,” said Thomas J. Grech, Executive Director, Queens Chamber of Commerce.                                                                                                      

“Long Island City is the customization capital of the world, where manufacturing companies from design/build engineering, to architectural lighting and glass, to industrial 3D printers, to specialty food and beverage – take advantage of our central location and unparalleled transportation access to serve customers across the region and the globe,” said Elizabeth Lusskin, President of the Long Island City Partnership. “They also access the best workforce in the world, from PhD engineers to production workers, providing them family supporting jobs. And when you put some of the smartest people in the world, together with some of the best workers in the world, and give them support to produce, you get innovations that change our world. But costs are high and global competition fierce, so it is only right that the federal government help these companies, as a community. We thank Senator Gillibrand for leading the charge to help manufacturing communities like LIC and companies like Boyce succeed, and we are so honored to have her make this announcement in Long Island City, an original Made in America Community.”

“We were honored to host US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at one of our Long Island City manufacturing facilities today. Sen. Gillibrand is committed to ensuring that the development and production of advanced technology remain in New York. When we started Boyce Technologies, we made a commitment to design and manufacture our Public Safety Security and Communications Systems in New York. We understood that combining the talent, diversity, and dedication of New Yorkers with the most advanced machining and design capabilities would be a phenomenal asset. But manufacturing in New York is expensive. Senator Gillibrand’s bipartisan initiative allows companies like ours to better leverage federal programs and resources to remain competitive in a global marketplace,” said Charles E. Boyce, President of Boyce Technologies.

The manufacturing sector in New York City has stabilized and is beginning to grow again after a decade of decline, according to the Center for an Urban Future. Senator Gillibrand’s bill would help the manufacturing industry in New York City continue to grow by creating a permanent program to competitively award regions with the “Manufacturing Communities” designation. This designation would give these communities preferred consideration when applying for up to $1.3 billion in currently available federal economic development funding for manufacturing. This legislation encourages a regionally-driven approach to strengthening the manufacturing industry. 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. 

In order to earn the Manufacturing Communities designation, communities would 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, or the development of business incubators, among other activities.

Senator Gillibrand’s bipartisan legislation is cosponsored by Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), and a bipartisan House version was introduced by U.S. Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Tom Reed (R-NY), Tim Ryan (D-OH), John Katko (R-NY), Cheri Bustos (D-IL), John Garamendi (D-CA), and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX).