fronttCentreCBICC INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUES, INDIVIDUALS, AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SHAPING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CENTRE COUNTY
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in this issueJUNE 2014 | VOLUME 1, EDITION 4
1 AtDC‘fly-in,’CBICCtoutseconomicimportanceoffederalresearchfunding
2 TechCelerator@StateCollegeBootCampgraduatesnextwaveofentrepreneurs
3 CBICC,statearepartnersintheefforttoattractnewbusinessopportunities
4 CBICCGatewayGroupmovingforwardwithambitiousagendatoattract/retainyoungprofessionals
4 EconomicDevelopmentsinBrief
6 CBICCinAction
CouncilforGrowth(PA,NJ,DE);DaytonDevelopmentCoalition(OH);andtheMetroAtlanta(GA),GreaterBostonandGreaterPittsburgchambersofcommerce.Coalitionmembersmetwithkeyplayersinthecongressionalbudgetprocess.
“DuringourmeetingswithCongressionalrepresentatives,wefoundbroadsupportfortheimportanceoffederalresearchfundingandtheneedforpredictable,sustainedfunding,”saidLesleyKistner,CBICCCommunicationsDirector,whorepresentedtheCBICCattheDCfly-in.“Butthereisalotofworkthatneedstobedonetoensurethatlong-termresearchfundingincreasesinthefederalbudget.Thisiscriticaltomaximizingresearchinvestmentsinordertoadvanceoureconomyandglobalcompetitiveness.”
ThecoalitionwillcontinuetomobilizesupportamongHouseandSenate
At DC ‘fly-in,’ CBICC touts economic importance of federal research funding
TheCBICCandothermembersofthenational“BusinessforFederalResearchFunding”coalitionattendedadayofCongressionalmeetingsinWashington,DConMonday,June9tobuildsupportforstrongresearchfundinggrowthinthefederalbudget.Thecoalitionispushingforsustainedresearchfundinggrowthacrossseveralareasofthebudget,includingthoserelatedtotheNationalInstitutesofHealth,theNationalScienceFoundation,NASA,andthedepartmentsofAgriculture,Defense,EnergyandHomelandSecurity.
InadditiontotheCBICC,thedelegationincludedrepresentativesfromtheCEO
CBICC Mission
One of the largest chambers/economic development organizations in Pennsylvania, the Chamber of Business
& Industry of Centre County is the unified voice of businesses of all sizes and industry
sectors in Centre County. The CBICC’s mission is to promote the well-being and growth of commerce and industry, while
striving to maintain a high quality of life for those who live, work and do business in
Centre County.
Publisher Vern Squier
President/CEO, Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County
Writer Lesley Kistner
Communications Director [email protected]
CBICC Communications Director Lesley Kistner and representatives from Pennsylania and nation-wide chambers of commerce stressed the importance of federal research funding at a series of Congressional meetings in the nation’s Capital.
Federal and all other research funding to Penn State provides an important economic boost to the Commonwealth, having direct and indirect impacts of approximately $2 billion annually in such forms as new technologies, job creation and retention, and state and local tax revenues.SOURCE: 2009 PSU-sponsored report
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membersintheweeksandmonthsahead,aswellasinthe114thCongress,inordertosecuresustainedresearchfundinggrowthacrossseveralareasofthefederalbudget.Thecoalitionwillalsocontinueeducationandoutreacheffortsdesignedtoraiseawarenessaboutthesignificantreturnoninvestmentthatresultsfromfederalresearchdollars.
TheCBICCisengagedintheinitiativebecauseoftheimportanceoffederalresearchfundingtothelocal,stateandnationaleconomyandthenation’soverallglobalcompetitiveness.TheChamberhasalonghistoryofassistingbusinessesthatareseekingtotransitionandthathavetransitionedPennStateresearchintocommercialsuccess.
More information about the Business for Federal Research Funding coalition is availablehere.
Trans-Cell Conversion Technology Dr. Gong Chen
Trans-Cell’stechnologywillprovidearevolutioninbrainrepairforpatientssufferingfrombraininjury,stroke,Alzheimer’s,ParkinsonDiseaseandotherneurologicaldissolventbyamethodofrepairingglialscaringcausedbyinjurytothebrainorillness.Currently,nomethodofrepairexists.Thisprocesscouldbelife-changingfortreatmentofmillionsofpeople.
Thecompanyhasapatentpendingandhasconductedclinicaltestresearchonanimals.Itisworkingtowardapre-clinicaltrialonhumans,whichwilltake5yearsto8yearstocomplete.“Bigpharma”hasexpressedinterestinpartneringwithTrans-Cell.Dr.Chen’slabcurrentlyhas20employeeswithneedtohireadditionalemployees.
IVF Cell Technology Todd Waybright
Thecompanyisdevelopinganinvitrofertilization(IVF)todecreasethenumberofdairycowsdeemedinfertile.Cowsthathavedifficultyinconceivingthroughartificialinseminationarecostlytofarmersbecausetheyaren’tmilkproducingandasaresult,needtobereplacedintheherd.VeterinariansdealingincattlewillmarketWaybrights’embryos.Theembryoshiscompanydevelopsarenotan“elite”embryousedtoproduceageneticallysuperiorlineofdairycow;theywillsolvetheproblemofinfertility.
VentureInvestmentForumandBenFranklinTransformationBusinessServiceNetwork.
Duringthe10-weekBootCampprogram–achangefromthepreviouseight-weekformat–participatingcompaniesmettogetherforjointmentoring,aswellasindividualmentoringsessionswithpartnersoftheTechCelerator@StateCollege.Morethan500hoursofmentoringserviceswereprovided.
Attheconclusionoftheprogram,thecompaniespitchedtheirideastoapanelofjudges,whichincludedCBICCEntrepreneurshipCommitteeChairmanToddErdley,presidentandCEOofVideon.Intheaudienceweregraduatesofpreviousbootcamps,representativesfromthepartnersoftheTechCeleratorandCBICCBoardmembers,inadditiontomembersofthecommunity.
Attheendofthepresentations,twocompanieswereselectedtoevenlyshareinthe$10,000fundingprize--Trans-CellConversionTechnologyandIVFCellTechnology,nowanaffiliateCBICCbusinessincubatormember.
ThesixcompaniesthatwentthroughtheBootCampprogramwere:
TechCelerator@StateCollege Boot Camp graduates next wave of entrepreneurs
OnJune10,anotherBenFranklinTechCelerator@StateCollegeBootCampconcluded,withsixnewstart-upcompaniespresentinginformationabouttheirtechnologiesandservicesinhopesofwinning$10,000inseedmoneyfortheirpotentialbusinessventures.
TheCBICC/CCIDCisapartnerintheTechCelerator,alongwithBenFranklinTechnologyPartners,InnovationParkatPennState,PennStateOfficeofTechnologyManagement,PennStateSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenter,
TechCelerator@StateCollege Boot Camp Participants
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AcreBooks – Sel Edor & Stephen Thor
Theconceptistoprovideservicestoself-publishingauthors,fromtheuseofeditingsoftwaretocoverdesignandmarketingassistancewithsocialmedia,pressreleases,bookinglistings,etc.
Penergy Solutions – Keppy Arnoldsen and Jennifer Breimhurst
Thecompanyisdevelopinganaerobicdigestersforuseonsmallfarmstohandletheproblemofwastemanagementfromanimals,andisproducingbyproductsof“Digesttea”andcomposttobeusedforimprovingsoilcontentandanimalbedding.
ArgentumCidalElectrics – Thomas Fuller
Argentumwillmanufactureantimicrobialpeelandsticktapeswithbatteriesforuseincarefacilities,particularlyhospitals’intensivecareunitswhereHAIinfectionsarecostlytotreatandsometimefatal.TheyengagedwithUMPC,GeisingerHealthSystemandMountNittanyHealthtodeterminethevalue,bothincostandtimesavings,forthemtousetheirapplication,primarilyonbedrails,wherevisitorsareconstantlytouching.Theycurrentlyhavesevenissuedpatentsandninependingpatents.
Leafy – Amin Afzal
Leafyisawatercontentsensorappliedtoaplanttodeterminetheamountofwaterintheplant.Thecurrentmethodsusedforirrigationsystemsteststhewatercontentofthesoil,whichwhileimportant,doesn’tactuallyaddressplantneeds.Usingtheleafsensorplacedonplantsthroughoutafieldwillreducethecostofirrigationandprovidebetterperformanceofcrops.BecauseofCalifornia’sdroughtconditionsandthevolumeoffoodproduced,itwillbeaninitialteststate.AdditionalinfieldtestingwillbeconductedduringJuly2014;commercialsalesareprojecttobegin
February2016.
A case study in economic development CBICC, state are partners in the effort to attract new business opportunities
InitsroleasastateDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentPREPpartner,theCBICC/CCIDCworkscloselywiththeGovernor’sActionTeamandOfficeofInternationalBusinessDevelopmentintheongoingworktobringnewbusinessopportunitiestoPennsylvaniagenerallyandtoCentreCountyspecifically.
Muchofthisworktakesplacequietly,behindthescenes.Atanygiventime,theCBICC/CCIDCmayreceiveprojectrequeststhroughGATorOIBDfromclientsseekingPennsylvanialocationstoconductbusiness.
“Inmostcases,wedonotknowtheoutcomeoftheprojectunlesswearefortunateenoughtomakethe‘short’list,”Residessaid,notingthattypically,notmorethanthreetofivelocationsmovetoa“short”list.
Ifasecondrequestisreceived,itasksformorespecific,detailedinformationabouttheproperty/facilityandthelocalcommunity.
“Tocontinuetobeaviablelocation,itisextremelyimportanttoprovidetherequiredinformationwithintheirtimeline,”Residessaid.
Ifasecondrequestisreceived,itasksformorespecific,detailedinformationabouttheproperty/facilityandthelocalcommunity.
“Tocontinuetobeaviablelocation,itisextremelyimportanttoprovidetherequiredinformationwithintheirtimeline,”Residessaid.
Ifthesecondrequestforinformationwarrantsit,thesiteselectorschedulesacommunity/sitetour.Atthispoint,theirjobistoeliminatesites,furtherreducingthelistofsitesthatultimatelywillbetouredbytheclientthemselves.
OIBDworkswithinternationalcompaniesseekingapresenceinPennsylvaniawhoarewillingtomakeafinancialinvestmentinandcreatejobswithintheCommonwealth.Theirrequestsarealsoconfidential,with
WhentheCBICC/CCIDCreceivesaninquiryfromthestate,theconfidentialrequestsareverybasic,includingonly“needtoknow”informationaboutbuildingandlandsiterequirementsrequiredbytheclient.GATassignsprojectnamesunrelatedtothebusinesstoavoidanypotentialidentification,asanonymityisoftencrucialtoaprojectsuccessfullymovingforward.
“Ourroleistosubmitdetailedinformationaboutavailableproperties/sitesinthecountybestfittingtherequirementsandtoprovidedemographicinformationaboutCentreCounty,”saidMaryResides,CBICC/CCIDCEconomicDevelopmentSpecialist.
Residessaidtheturnaroundtimetosubmitpotentiallocationsisveryshort,typicallyoneortwodays.
Theconfidentialnatureoftherequestsmeansthateconomicdevelopmentorganizations–eventhestateattimes–aren’tawareiftheyarecompetingregionally,statewideornationallyforapotentialbusiness.ThesiteselectorsthatcontacttheGovernor’sActionTeammayalsobecontactingotherstateswiththesamerequestiftheclientisn’tdeterminedtolocateinPennsylvania.
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thestartoftheircareers
• Creatingabrandidentitydesignedtopromotethevalueofyoungprofessionalsandtheirimportancetotheworkforceandthecommunity
AprojectupdatenightwillbeheldWednesday,Sept.17.
Formoreinformation,[email protected].
CheckouttheGatewayGroup’sactivitiesonFacebookatFacebook.com/CBICCgateway.
Economic Developments in Brief
CBICC welcomes new companies to business incubator
TheCBICCrecentlywelcomedtwonewcompaniesandonenewaffiliatemembertotheTechnologyCenterincubatoratInnovationPark.FormeraffiliatemembercompaniesColumnTekandAtoptixarenowfull-timeincubatortenants.Atoptix,LLCisdevelopingapatentedopticaltechnologythatreplacesbenchtopspectroscopyequipmentwithaminiaturized,hand-helddevice.ColumnTekisinvolvedintheresearch,developmentandmanufacturerofliquidchromatography.IVFCellTechnologyisthenewestaffiliatemember.FoundedbyToddWaybright,thecompanyisdevelopinganinvitrofertilization(IVF)todecreasethenumberofdairycowsdeemedinfertile.WaybrightisarecentgraduateoftheTechCelerator@
shortresponsetimes,andtheyaresharedstatewide.OIBDprojectsarealsonamedtoprotecttheclient,althoughattimes,theclient’scountryisknown.
Whenitcomestorequestsforinformationfromthestate,timeisoftheessence.
CBICCPresidentandCEOVernSquierstressedthatforthisreason,cooperationandassistancefrompropertyownersandtheirrepresentativesisvital,aswellashavingacurrentinventoryofprospectivelocations.
“Therealityisthatwemightnotknowwhetherweareonasiteselector’sshortlist.Weneedtobeready.”
CBICC Gateway Group moving forward with ambitious agenda to attract/retain young professionals
TheCBICC’syoungprofessionalsGatewayGroupismovingforwardwithanambitiousagendadesignedto
attractandretainyoungprofessionalsinCentreCountyandprepareitsmemberstobeeffectivecommunityleadersmotivatedtoparticipateinbothlocalandregionalcommerce,whilefosteringimportantconnectionsbetweenyoungprofessionals,establishedcommunityleadersandorganizationsthroughoutthecounty.
Duringa“ProjectPitchNight”eventheldJune18atNewLeaf,membersofthegrouppresentedinformationonseveralprojectsthegrouphasplannedin2014,puttingoutthecallforinvolvementfromotheryoungprofessionals.
TheGatewayGroupiscurrently:
• PlanningaCentreCountyJobFairforyoungprofessionals
• Producingacommunityassetmapthatidentifiesresourcesofimportancetoyoungprofessionals
• Identifyingcommunityengagementopportunities
• Establishingamentorshipprogramthatconnectsestablishedbusinesspeoplewithmenandwomenat
Highlights from the Gateway Group’s “Project Pitch Night”
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impactoftheirtechnologicalinnovation,howtheysupportedfederalresearchanddevelopmentneeds,andtheirabilitytoincreasecommercializationoffederalresearch.
ActuatedMedicalPresidentandCEOMaureenMulvihillsaidhercompanyishelpingSBIRachieveitsmissionbycommercializinginnovationsandcreatingjobs.
“BothourTubeClearandGentleSharpproductlinesdemonstratethatthisprogramtrulyworks.TheTibbettsAwardreflectsthatsuccessandweappreciateSBA’srecognitionofourteam’shardworkanddedication,”shesaid.
Videon CEO awarded Governor’s ImPAct Award
ToddErdley,presidentandCEOofCBICC3B33SupportPartnerVideon-Central,receivedthe2014Governor’sImPActAwardforEntrepreneurship.Erdley,whochairstheCBICC’sEntrepreneurshipCommittee,wasnominatedbytheChamber.TheawardsaredesignedtocelebratethecompaniesandindividualswhoareinvestinginPennsylvaniaandcreatingjobs.
StateCollegebootcamp.
‘Make it in America’ initiative launches new website
InDecember2013,theSEDA-CouncilofGovernments,theCenterforDirectInvestmentandTeamPennsylvaniaFoundation,alongwithnumerousprogrampartners–includingtheCBICC/CCIDC–announcedanewpartnershipinitiativeisdesignedtoattractinternationalinvestmenttotheCommonwealth’sruralcounties,thosecomprisingthe“T”region.Oneearlygoaloftheinitiativewasthelaunchofanewwebsite,www.corepaglobal.org.ThelaunchofthewebsitewasscheduledtocoincidewiththestartoftheWorldForumforForeignDirectInvestmentinPhiladelphiaonJune16-18.Themulti-yearinitiativeispartiallyfundedbyafederal“MakeitinAmerica”grant.Only10grantswereawardednationwidebytheObamaadministration,ruralPennsylvaniabeingoneofthoserecipientsat$1.8million.
Actuated Medical receives SBA’s prestigious Tibbetts Award
TheU.S.SmallBusinessAdministrationselectedBellefonte-basedActuatedMedicalasa2014TibbettsAwardwinner.TheSBApresentsthesenationalawardstocompaniesthatexemplifytheverybestoftheSmallBusinessInnovationResearchprogram.CBICCmemberActuatedMedicalwasoneof25winnersthatattendedaWhiteHouseawardsprogram.TheawardisnamedforRolandTibbetts,acknowledgedasthefatheroftheSBIRprogram.Winnersareselectedbyapanelofjudgesbasedontheeconomic
Funding available for Energy Development Authority Grants and Loans
TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalProtectionannouncedthatthePennsylvaniaEnergyDevelopmentAuthoritywillofferanestimated$12.5millioningrantsandloansforalternativeandrenewableenergyprojects,alongwithprojectsdeployingtechnologiessuchassolarenergy,wind,hydropowerandbiomass.Fundingisalsoavailableforcleanalternativefuels,alternativeenergymanufacturingandalternativeenergyresearch.Thoseeligibletoapplyincludenonprofitcorporations;Pennsylvaniaschools,collegesanduniversities;anyPennsylvaniamunicipality,andpublicorprivatecorporations,partnerships,limitedliabilitycompanies,associationsandotherlegalbusinessentities.FundedactivitiesmustbeconductedentirelyinPennsylvaniaandbeincompliancewithapplicablelaws.Applicationsaredueby4p.m.Friday,Aug.15andmustbesubmittedonlineusingthestate’seGrantssystem–www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us.Grantswillbeawardedinthefall.
Paul Brown accepts the IMPACT Award on behalf of Videon President Todd Erdley
Roger Bagwell, Actuated Medical Director of Research and Development and Maureen Mulvihill, Actuated Medical President and CEO, at the White House awards ceremony
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Grant to help develop employer-driven training program
TheCCIDCisapartneroftheCentralPAWorkforceInvestmentBoardandCentralPREPRegion-awardedgrantfundingtobeusedindevelopmentofanemployer-driventrainingprogram.ThisisastatewideinitiativethroughthestateLabor&IndustryDepartment’sRe-employmentFund.Ofthe$4.05milliongrantedto10stateregions,theCentralregionwasawarded$450,000.Plansforthedeploymentoftheinitiativeareunderway.
American-Ireland Business Forum
CBICCmemberbusinessesinterestedinexploringnewbusinessinvestmentopportunitieswithIrelandorstrengtheningexistingrelationshipsareinvitedtoparticipateintheupcomingAmerican-IrishBusinessForum:GlobalBusinessConferenceonTradeandEnterprisebetweenPennsylvaniaandIreland.TheforumwillbeheldThursday,Aug.28andFriday,Aug.29inDublinCastle,Ireland,inadvanceofthe“CrokeParkClassic”betweenPennStateUniversityandCentralFloridaUniversityonSaturday,Aug.30.TheforumisbeingorganizedbyTheRhiannonGroup,withsupportoftheIrishConsulateinNewYork,andinpartnershipwiththestateDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopment.Additionalinformationisavailableontheforumwebsite,www.aibusinessforum.com.
CBICC in Action
Centre County business community welcomes PSU President Eric J. Barron
Morethan170businessandcommunityleadershelpedtowelcomePennStatePresidentDr.EricJ.BarronbacktoCentreCountyandPennStateatasspecialCBICCmembershipluncheononJune26attheNittanyLionInn.TheCBICC-memberexclusiveluncheonprovidedanopportunityforthebusinesscommunitytoreinforceitsgoalofathrivingprivatesectorthatcanstandarminarmwiththeexcellentacademicandresearch
institutionthatisPennState.PresidentBarronspokeabouthisfocusasuniversitypresident,andansweredquestionsfromattendees.Barronoutlinedanumberofinitiativeshebelieveswouldhelptheuniversity–workingwithpartnerorganizations–growthelocaleconomy.TheeventwassponsoredbyMountNittanyHealth.TheCentreDailyTimes’coverageofPresidentBarron’sremarksisavailablehere.
Chamber Day brings CBICC, statewide local chambers to Harrisburg for important policy discussions
OfficialsandbusinesspeoplefromtheChamberofBusiness&IndustryofCentreCountyand29otherstatewidelocalandregionalchambersofcommerceparticipatedinChamberDayattheStateCapitolonTuesday,June10.
OrganizedbythePAAssociationofChamberProfessionalsandthe
PennsylvaniaChamberofBusinessandIndustry,theannualeventbringstogetherlocalchamberleadersandstatepolicymakersfordiscussionsaboutissuesofimportancetotheCommonwealth’sjobcreators.
“It’sincrediblyimportantforPennsylvania’schamberprofessionalstoheardirectlyfromthestate’stoppolicymakersonissuesthatimpactjobgrowthandthebusinesscommunity,”saidCBICCPresidentandCEOVernSquier,chairmanofPACP.Squierdeliveredopeningremarksattheevent,whichwasalsoattendedbyCBICCCommunicationsDirectorLesleyKistner.
“WeallmaintainakeenfocusonensuringemployersviewPennsylvania–particularlyourspecificcommunities–asawelcominghomeforbusiness,”Squieradded.“ChamberDayprovidesuswithinsightonprioritymattersandenablesustoofferinputonhowtobeststrengthenthestate’sbusinessclimate.”
Duringtheevent,chamberofcommerceofficialsheardfromandaskedquestionsofGov.TomCorbett,whoservedaskeynoteluncheonspeaker;SenateMajorityLeaderDominicPileggi,
Highlights from the luncheon welcoming PSU President Dr. Eric J. Barron
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Ted McDowellSenior Vice President, AmeriServ Bank
Chairman of the Board
Bill JosephSenior Vice President, First National Bank
Vice Chairman of the Board
Vern SquierPresident / CEO
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R-Chester;HouseMajorityLeaderMikeTurzai,R-Allegheny;PABudgetSecretaryCharlesZogby;PARevenueSecretaryDanMeuser;andPALaborandIndustrySecretaryJulieHearthway.
Inaddition,periodicnetworkingbreaksenabledchamberleaderstoconverseandshareideaswithcolleaguesfromaroundthestateonmattersuniquetothechamberprofession.
White House Regional Affairs Forum encourages small business to enter export market
OnJune4,CBICCEconomicSpecialistMaryResidesandCommunicationsDirectorLesleyKistnerattendedtheWhiteHouseRuralCouncilMadeinAmericaRuralAmericaRegionalForuminCanonsburg.Theforumfocusedonhelpingruralfirmsunderstandwaystogrowtheirbusinessesbyfindingnewcustomersoverseasorsellingmoretotheirexistinginternationalcustomers.KeynotespeakerwasTomVilsack,Secretary,U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,whospokeofpositioningruralAmericaforSuccessin
Need Exporting Assistance?
Checkoutthesehelpfulresources:
Export-ImportBankoftheUnitedStates,www.exim.gov
PAOfficeofInternationalBusinessDevelopment,www.newpa.com
U.S.CommercialService,www.trade.gov
www.seda-cog.org/export
www.exportingpa.org
www.export.gov
Meet with Pa.’s trade reps:
TheCentral PA International Trade ConferenceisscheduledforFriday, Sept. 19 in State College.ThisisanexcellentopportunitytositdownindividuallywiththeCommonwealth’snetworkof22AuthorizedTradeRepresentativestodiscussyourstrategies,opportunities,andpotentialinmorethan70differentmarkets.Thiseventisidealforbothnew-to-exportcompaniesandseasonedexporters.Markyourcalendarandstaytunedforfurtherdetails.
HIghlights from Chamber Day at the Capitol in Harrisburg
the21stcentury.AttractingdirectforeigninvestmentisoneareaoffocusfortheChamberthroughitsworkwithSEDA-COGandthe“MakeitinAmerica”initiative.
US Agriculture Secretary Tom VilsackObserver-Reporter photo