Friday, September 28, 2012

Campaign Season Brings Candidates to Members' Facilities


This election season, manufacuturing is playing a prominent role in the campaign.  Candidates are increasingly focusing on the importance of making sure U.S. manufacturing remains strong, and issues such as tax reform, regulations, international trade and job training pop up on the campaign trail every day.  NTMA members have often been tapped to host elected officials and political candidates from both parties for plant tours throughout the year. 
Recently, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney visited PR Machine Works in Ontario, Ohio, a key battleground state in the presidential election.  Gov. Romney's visit marks the fourth time an NTMA member has hosted a presidential candidate in Ohio in just the past three months.
Owners Zoi and Mark Romanchuk actively support NTMA's advocacy initiatives in Washington to urge elected officials to strengthen American manufacturing.  Zoi is a former NTMA Government Affairs Committee Chair, and Mark not only plays an important role in NTMA’s advocacy efforts, but has taken matters into his own hands by running for State Representative in Ohio’s 2nd District.
Roughly 2,500 people assembled at PR Machine Works to hear Gov. Romney outline his plan for the manufacturing sector by reforming health care, focusing on energy independence, increasing access to skilled training programs, curtailing unfair trade practices and cutting the federal budget deficit.  Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH) and other officials were also present.
Events like these show NTMA's growing influence as the face of small and medium-sized manufacturing in America.  Our voices are growing stronger thanks to our members! 
As November 6 draws near, keep in mind that manufacturers and their families make up roughly seven percent of the voting age population this time around.  If just half of us vote, our ballots alone could help shape the outcome of this election.
To learn more about where the candidates stand on issues important to manufacturers and how to get involved in the election, remember to visit our new advocacy website at www.metalworkingadvocate.org.
(Above photo: Mitt Romney speaks at PR Machine Works; Below: Mark Romanchuk talks to Sen. Portman and Gov. Romney.)

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