For the formal launch, a forum was held entitled “U.S. Manufacturing: Policies for a New Economic Reality.” Brookings noted that, as the country combats today’s economic pressures, manufacturers, labor, and legislators are identifying policies to strengthen manufacturing and reenergize this sector of the economy. The lineup of speakers scheduled for the initial event included Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), Phillip Singerman of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Steven Rattner of Willet Advisors, Thea Lee of the AFL-CIO, Scott Paul of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, Rob Atkinson of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and Mark Muro and Darrell West of the Brookings Institution.

The forum project is being led by West, vice president of governance studies and director of the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings. “John White’s generosity enables us to explore this important area, and raise public and policymaker awareness of this sector,” said West.

“As a manufacturer in business over 90 years, Taco is proud to be a company making things here in America,” said White. “The American manufacturer is an important part of our economic strength and health as a country, and we need to do everything we can to encourage and support an American manufacturing comeback.”

Taco is a manufacturer of pumps, valves, tanks, electronic controls, and other components used in heating and cooling applications. For more information, visit www.taco-hvac.com.

Publication date: 7/16/2012