SVA ASKED TO ASSIST COMMONWEALTH WITH NEW ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROJECT

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor (DLI) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, has asked the Steel Valley Authority to administer a new “Statewide Advanced Manufacturing Project” that will engage industry stakeholders in an effort to provide federal and state recovery assistance, save jobs and help companies develop advanced manufacturing strategies for their sectors.  This project will complement the efforts of the SVA to increase its layoff aversion activities during this recession.  This initiative has the support of the highest levels of leadership in the Administration and has selected the SVA to carry out the mission of   the program based on our successful Auto Project.  The DLI is launching the project to (1) promote advanced manufacturing as a critical future-oriented economic sector for our citizens and our communities, and to (2) put forth our best efforts so that the manufacturing jobs base has the greatest ability to survive and revitalize.  The Project will work to obtain resources from the American Recovery and Revitalization Act for Pennsylvania’s businesses and workers, and will form a “Pennsylvania Advanced Manufacturing Council” to include a broad array of economic stakeholders from the manufacturing economy; including business, labor, workforce, education and economic development leaders.  The Project has obtained adequate funding from the Department and has retained a professional consultant to coordinate a Scope of Work to enable the Consultant to launch the Project by the end of September, 2009.