WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 2, 2006 - The Manufacturing Institute of the National Association of Manufacturers today congratulated the greater Kansas City region for receiving one of the WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) grants announced yesterday by the U.S. Department of Labor as a major component of President Bush´s Competitiveness Agenda unveiled in the State of the Union Address.
"We are thrilled that Dream It. Do It. -- our first pilot manufacturing careers and economic development campaign that launched in Kansas City one year ago -- helped spur creation of the regional partnership of local business organizations, educators and civic leaders that has led to the $15 million WIRED grant. Our hat is off to Paul Scianna, executive director of the Alliance for Innovation in Manufacturing (AIM-KC) for his leadership in putting together a strong coalition for Dream It. Do It. that helped produce the framework for this larger effort to create high-skill and high-wage jobs in the Kansas City region," said Phyllis Eisen, Vice President and Executive Director of the Manufacturing Institute´s Center for Workforce Success.
"We could not have imagined a few years ago that the Dream It. Do It. campaign would lead to this, but it has -- and we are grateful and pleased," said Robert Marcusse, president of the Kansas City Area Development Council.
Dream It. Do It. will launch in several new regions this spring. Visit the web site at www.dreamitdoit.com. The Manufacturing Institute is the research and education arm of the National Association of Manufacturers at
CONTACTS: LAURA NARVAIZ
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