U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced on Wednesday the first 12 communities that will be designated Manufacturing Communities as part of a national initiative aiming to revitalize manufacturing industry.
The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative, led by the Commerce Department, is designed to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing by attracting and expanding private investment in the manufacturing sector and increasing international trade and exports.
"The 12 Manufacturing Communities announced today represent a diverse group of communities with the most comprehensive economic development plans to attract business investment that will increase their competitiveness," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker in a statement.
Such innovative programs encourage American communities to work together to craft strong, clear and strategic plans to attract manufacturing investment and jobs to transform themselves into globally competitive commercial hubs, she said.
The 12 Manufacturing Communities, which include Southwest Alabama, Southern California and Northwest Georgia, will receive 1. 3 billion U.S. dollars assistance from eleven federal agencies.
In September 2013, the Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration and other agencies awarded 7 million U. S. dollars in IMCP grants to 44 communities to support the development of long-term economic development strategies.
The Obama Administration officially launched the national IMCP competition in December 2013.