Governor Jack Markell discusses the potential manufacturing has to create jobs in Delaware, specifically in the area of clean technology.
Governor's Weekly Message
Governor Markell discusses the potential of manufacturing to create jobs in Delaware.
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Full text of Governor Jack Markell’s weekly message:
The national economy has made for some very tough times, particularly for our state's great manufacturing community.
But given their talent and drive, I know our manufacturers can still say with certainty to companies around the world -- "If you can invent it, we can build it.”
That’s why we spend so much time working to broaden the number of businesses that think of Delaware as a place to build and get things built. Manufacturing jobs have historically given so many Delawareans real economic opportunity for their families. We need to make sure that opportunity is not just our past, but our future.
At the same time, our state has a long history as a cradle for innovation. A place where ideas can become products - products become new companies - and new companies help shape new industries.
When we have the chance to combine those efforts -- when something can be conceived, created and manufactured all within our great state -- the economic benefits multiply.
One area with growth potential in both manufacturing and innovation remains clean technology. Around the world, people are getting to work creating and manufacturing products with both environmental and economic benefit. Delaware has key advantages that can help create real economic opportunity for families in our state in this area.
We have one of the most skilled workforces in the nation with engineering talent that rivals Silicon Valley and manufacturing know-how that can step up to any challenge.
We have one of the most advanced collections of clean tech research programs in the nation at our great universities.
We have international leaders like W.L. Gore, DuPont, Ashland and dozens of other smaller firms that are all moving rapidly into clean jobs market. They already employ several hundred researchers, manufacturers, developers, and integrators already employed in Delaware and know there’s millions of potential clients within a few hours’ drive.
Starting Monday, the University of Delaware will be the host of a two day conference committed to finding new solutions to harness the potential of clean tech jobs to move us forward together to grow new and existing businesses, create more jobs, improve our environment, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
To revitalize the American economy, we need to get people building things that can be proudly stamped "Made in America, Manufactured in Delaware." Clean technology can be part of the solution that will help us keep Delaware moving forward.
