We are a new federation of organizations committed to development that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable and restorative that will lead to the re-building of urban and rural communities devastated by de-industrialization.
Drew Crowe, Founder of the New American Manufacturing Renaissance
Here is a curated section from FMR of current news that highlights legislation, manufacturing and industrial policy, inclusion and training, and employee ownership.
Advanced semiconductor equipment requires 10 times more power. Our grid is not up to the task. By Sarah Shinton In 2022, the White House signed
More manufacturers could benefit, if they put the effort into calculating the deeper competitive advantages and savings. By Patrick Reagan Industry Week Employment in U.S.
Book Available: The Canadian CED Network and Effect Author: Nancy Neamtan Year: 2023 Download Here The story of Quebec’s social economy movement is little known
By ADAM CANCRYN Politico Jan 19, 2024 – Biden’s manufacturing boom is underway. But the jobs haven’t followed yet. The new manufacturing jobs tied to Biden’s
By Rachel Slade NYT Op-Ed, Jan. 5, 2024 Growing up, my parents drove my brothers and me around in lumbering Fords and ungainly Oldsmobiles until one
Link to YouTube here This webinar brings to life a case example of a worker-owned co-operative in a technical field. Learn about how the co-op
Dan Swinney, FMR Co-Chair, Manufacturing Renaissance, Erica Staley, Manufacturing Renaissance | Ibon Zugasti, LKS Mondragon | Ander Caballero, FMR International Organizer, Basque Country | Michael Peck, 1Worker 1Vote | Michael Bennett, African American Leadership and Policy Institute | Carl Davidson, Re-imagining Beaver County | Alan Minsky, Progressive Democrats of America | Michelle Burris, The Century Foundation | Doug Gamble, Manufacturing Renaissance | Michael Partis, Red Hook Initiative | Teresa Cordova, Great Cities Institute, University of Illinois | Matt Wilson, Great Cities Institute, University of Illinois | Michael Moriarty, FMR Sec. Treasurer, Chicago Teachers Union Foundation | Robert Creamer, Democracy Partners | Chris Cooper, Ohio Employee Ownership Center | Katy Stanton, Urban Manufacturing Alliance | Kristen Barker, Co-op Cincy | David Levine, American Sustainable Business Network | Lou Tierno, American Sustainable Business Network | Andrew Dettmer, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union | Drew “MFG” Crowe, The New American Manufacturing Renaissance
A nationwide Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance has been formed with five foundational pillars:
The Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance (FMR) is committed to development that is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable and restorative. We believe that a “high road,” inclusive manufacturing ecosystem is fundamental for healthy individuals, families, and communities. Toward this end, we:
A number of organizations have formed the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance. The purpose of the Federation is to:
The public sector including government at all levels, and civil society as represented by the labor movement, community-based organizations, educators, faith-based organizations, the environmental movement and others must play a leading role in retaining, redesigning, and rebuilding our manufacturing sector in partnership with the private sector. Programs focused on inclusion must have the same level of political and financial support as programs focused on new technologies in manufacturing. This ensures that the values of sustainability, justice and restoration guide development and provide public support for building the manufacturing ecosystem.
The United States has experienced a long-term decline in its manufacturing sector with an enormous social, economic, and political impact over the last 50 years. The loss has severely impacted communities throughout the country—urban and rural, white and of color. For the last hundred years, industrial policy has mainly been guided by the private and financial sectors driven by the objective of increasing personal wealth. Manufacturers revolutionized the means of production. They were committed to long-term planning. US manufacturing was known for its innovation. Despite a number of inequities, this industrial policy led to the growth of the middle class and the emergence of the US as the dominant global economy.
By the late 1970s and the emergence of new information technologies, the search for the highest rate of return in the shortest amount of time led to some leaders in the manufacturing and financial sector cannibalizing the very companies that were the heart of the manufacturing sector. Companies closed as investors shifted their financial resources to other sectors. David Roderick, CEO of US Steel closed one of the most profitable steel companies in the world, stating, “I’m in this business to make money, not steel.” Local and state governments were often complicit or passive in engaging the challenges of the manufacturing sector.
In the 1960s, the sector represented more than 27% of GDP. As a result of these practices, manufacturing now represents only 11% of GDP. The country and our communities have suffered in every respect. This reality was a product of industrial policies rather than a “blind market”.
We have launched the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance to represent the broad and shared interests of the public and private sectors committed to retaining, redesigning, and rebuilding our manufacturing sector. We are committed to manufacturing, economic democracy, and community development.