Congressman Sander Levin

Manufacturing

I also believe it is critical that the federal government do everything it can to support the manufacturing base of our economy. Our industrial sector has traditionally been a source of well paid jobs that helped create the middle class. Manufacturing is also at the heart of our economic competitiveness and national security though the creation of advanced technology. Manufacturing companies do about 70% of the private sector R&D in the United States. That’s why I am a strong supporter of funding for programs to support America’s manufacturers.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership

I am an active supporter of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program. For more than 20 years, MEP centers across the country have been ensuring that America’s small manufacturers have access to the latest technology and processes to enhance their productivity and make them more competitive. MEP centers operate very much like smaller versions of the consultants that provide these services to very large companies.

MEP is represented in Michigan by the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC). MMTC provides Michigan’s small and medium sized manufacturers with operational assessment, process improvement training, mentoring services, website technical assistance and market diversification tactics.
President Obama’s latest budget requests and increase in MEP funding that would put the program on track to double over the next five years. I have consistently supported funding for MEP [link to latest MEP letter], and look forward to working with the new Administration to bolster this important resource for our nation’s small manufacturers.

Macomb Business Accelerator

I am also proud of my efforts to secure funding for the newly created Macomb County Business Accelerator. Macomb County is really at the heart of the severe economic distress caused by the downturn in the domestic automotive industry. The county is providing leadership during this ongoing economic transformation to support manufacturing businesses and their need to diversify into fields beyond the automotive sector. The county has created the Macomb County Business Accelerator to assist entrepreneurs and existing companies to allow them to either start and grow high demand business in new industries or to reposition and expand their current business to serve other industries, particularly defense and homeland security, which have been identified by Macomb County and the State of Michigan as viable and emerging growth sectors.
R&D Credit

As a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over our tax code, I believe it is critical that our tax system provide strong incentives to help our manufacturing base. One of the most important tax incentives for the manufacturing sector is the Research & Development (R&D) tax credit. Manufacturers do about 70% of the private sector R&D conducted in the United States. I have long been a strong and persistent voice for making the R&D credit a permanent part of our tax code, and strengthening it so that all companies have a strong incentive to do R&D here in the United States.

(Updated June 19, 2009)