OLEAN — In the midst of a struggling economy and high unemployment, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., announced a new manufacturing agenda to help stimulate job growth in New York.

During a press conference at CUTCO Corporation yesterday, Sen. Gillibrand said, between 2005 and 2010, the economic crisis affected 123,000 manufacturing positions in New York with Western New York alone losing 17,500 jobs. Despite this, advanced and high-tech manufacturing opportunities, including computer and electronic jobs, experienced a 9 percent employment increase from 2004 to 2008.

“I see so much potential for New York long-term in emerging manufacturing sectors. I know that manufacturing will propel us into the 21st century as our major job generator,” she said before outlining three ideas that will be focused on in Congress this year.

The first part of Sen. Gillibrand’s plan is a competitive grant program titled “Made in America.” She noted small and mid-size manufacturers like CUTCO would be eligible for the grants, and funds can be used for various purposes.

“It’s to support things like retooling operations, retraining the workforce for more advanced manufacturing,” Sen. Gillibrand said. “It also will be able to retool and retrofit equipment facilities and diversify business plans. These are the kinds of opportunities that provide for companies to continue to grow.”

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