READOUT: Secretary Walsh visited Elyria, Ohio, to highlight Bipartisan Innovation Act, joined Boeing to announce $1M in workforce development funding

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh joined local leaders at Lorain County Community College in Elyria, Ohio, on April 29, 2022, to highlight how the proposed Bipartisan Innovation Act will advance U.S. global leadership in the technologies of the future and build on the historic investments in President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Secretary joined leaders from the Boeing Co., NextFlex and LCCC for a roundtable discussion on the proposed act and its benefits. During the roundtable, the Boeing Co. announced more than $1 million in funding to prepare a skilled manufacturing workforce.

"In partnership with institutions like Lorain County Community College, the Biden-Harris administration is committed to investing in the next generation, through innovative collaboration with employers, institutions, and industry partners," said Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. "The Bipartisan Innovation Act would build on the success seen here today by building a skilled workforce and accelerating economic growth through products made here in America."

Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio offered his perspective on the importance of the legislation.

"We need to make more in America. For too long, bad trade and tax policy has encouraged corporations to send jobs – and the skills and training that go with them – overseas to our foreign competitors and, to pay even lower wages," said Sen. Sherrod Brown. "Ohio institutions like Lorain County Community College, Boeing and NextFlex are doing their part to fight this trend, but they shouldn't have to do it alone. We must get a strong innovation and competition bill to the President's desk immediately to bring our supply chains back to places like Lorain, and to invest in our country's greatest asset: the talent of American workers."