Rep. Kinzinger Talks Manufacturing in Rockford

ROCKFORD - Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-Illinois) held a roundtable discussion with area business and governmental leaders at Cliffbreakers in Rockford on Friday.  He wanted to figure out what it will take to bring other manufacturers to Rockford and grow the businesses currently here.

Business is picking up at, at least one area manufacturer.  Woodward-Governor has secured several new projects over the last few years and plans on expanding their already huge workforce of 1400 employees.

"Woodward's invested substantially in technology and innovation and capabilities over the last probably 15 years," said Woodward's vice president of research and development, Terry Voskuil.  "That's what has led to the wins we've gotten recently."

Voskuil said he enjoyed working with Representative Don Manzullo, so he was interested to see what Manzullo's replacement was all about.

"I'm interested to see what the congressman has to say, how to support our growth particularly around machining, assembly and test technicians," said Voskuil.

"We have a lot of the infrastructure, a lot of the transportation networks we need," said Rep. Kinzinger.  "We have a lot of the human capital for manufacturing, now we just need to get it all to work."

Kinzinger introduced a bi-partisan bill back in June aimed at creating what he calls an "American Manufacturing Competitiveness Board".  The goal of the bill, H.R. 5865, to forge a plan promoting successful American manufacturing, especially here in Rockford. 

The congressman also noted problems he says Springfield has with retaining manufacturing jobs in the state.  Something he says the citizens of Illinois need to communicate to their state legislators.

"It's one thing to lose jobs to overseas, that's terrible.  It's especially egregious when you lose jobs to neighboring states," said Kinzinger.