Home • President Obama Issues Call to Action to Invest in America at White House "Insourcing American Jobs" Forum

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 13, 2012

President Obama Announces proposal to reform, reorganize and consolidate Government

PLAN WILL MAKE GOVERNMENT LEANER, SMARTER AND MORE CONSUMER-FRIENDLY

WASHINGTON, DC – As a follow up to last year’s State of the Union, today, President Obama called on Congress to reinstate Presidential authority to reorganize and consolidate the federal government, which will ensure swift action on his proposals to streamline government to make it work better for the American people while eliminating duplication, waste and inefficiencies.

“We live in a 21st century economy, but we’ve still got a government organized for the 20th century. Our economy has fundamentally changed – as has the world – but the government has not. The needs of our citizens have fundamentally changed but their government has not. Instead, it has often grown more complex. Today, I am calling on Congress to reinstate the authority that past presidents have had to streamline and reform the Executive Branch. This is the same sort of authority that every business owner has to make sure that his or her company keeps pace with the times. And let me be clear: I will only use this authority for reforms that result in more efficiency, better service, and a leaner government,” said President Obama.

Almost every President from Herbert Hoover to Ronald Reagan had reorganization authority. Too often past attempts to streamline government got caught up in beltway politics and power struggles that prevented meaningful consolidation. And more often than not, new agencies were added without taking any away.

Unlike the authority granted in the past, the President’s proposal would initiate new accountability by mandating that any plan must reduce the number of government agencies or save taxpayer dollars. It would also ensure expedient review by Congress.

The President laid out his first proposed use of that authority consolidating six agencies into one more efficient agency to promote competitiveness, exports and American business. Currently, there are six major departments and agencies that focus primarily on business and trade in the federal government. The six are: U.S. Department of Commerce’s core business and trade functions, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

Consolidating these agencies along with other related programs will help entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes grow, compete, and hire, leveraging one cohesive Department with one mission: to spur job creation and expand the U.S. economy.

In his last State of the Union Address, President Obama noted there was more that we must do to give American businesses all they need to succeed. The Federal Government is a maze of Federal agencies with overlapping services and missions, making it difficult for businesses – and especially small ones – to find the assistance they need to export, expand, and hire.

He established the Government Reform for Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative to examine how we can update the Federal government to better support America’s competitiveness in a 21st century global economy. The team reached out to hundreds of businesses, experts, current and former cabinet officials and agency heads, union leaders, Members of Congress and their staff, and thousands of Federal employees to find out what is working and what is not. Across the range of conversations held by the Administration as part of the government reorganization initiative, one theme underscored repeatedly by business owners was that they are confused about where to go for assistance and often are unaware of services that would help them, particularly those trying to break into the export market for the first time.

For additional information, please click here.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 13, 2012

Government Reorganization Fact Sheet

Looking to make our government leaner, smarter and more consumer-friendly, the President will call on Congress to reinstate the authority that past Presidents had, over decades, to reorganize the government. With the exception of President Ford, every President from Herbert Hoover to Ronald Reagan had reorganization authority. Presidents had this sort of authority for almost the entire period from 1932 through 1984.Unlike the authority granted in the past, the President’s proposal would initiate new accountability by mandating that any plan must consolidate government - reducing the number of agencies or saving taxpayer dollars.

The President will also lay out his first proposed use of that authority: consolidating six agencies into one more efficient department to promote competitiveness, exports and American business. The President knows this is a make or break moment for the middle class and those trying to reach it. The President’s proposed reorganization would help small businesses grow and, in doing so, would help get more Americans back to work.

For too long, overlapping responsibilities among agencies have made it harder, rather than easier, for our small businesses to interact with their government. Those redundancies have also led to unnecessary waste and duplication. President Obama is committed to rethinking, reforming and remaking our government so that it can meet the challenges of our time and is worthy of the American people.

Today’s proposal is just one example of the kind of action the authority he is requesting would allow.

Competing in a 21^st Century Economy

We’re living in a 21^st century economy with a 20^th century bureaucracy. Our economy has fundamentally changed but the government has not. The needs of our citizens have fundamentally changed but their government has not. Instead, the government has grown only more complex.

Over the past three years the Obama Administration has taken numerous steps to address this problem by eliminating government waste and inefficiencies. Clearly there’s more work to be done.

The President’s First Action

The President’s first focus under the Consolidation Authority Act would be to make it easier for America's small businesses – which are America’s job creators – to compete, export and grow.

Currently, there are six major departments and agencies that focus primarily on business and trade in the federal government. The six are: U.S. Department of Commerce’s core business and trade functions, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency.

This is redundant and inefficient. Small businesses often face a maze of agencies when looking for even the most basic answers to the most basic questions. There is a whole host of websites, toll-free numbers and customer service centers that at times offer them differing advice. The result is a system that is not working for our small businesses.

The President is proposing to consolidate those six departments and agencies into one Department with one website, one phone number and one mission – helping American businesses succeed.

One Department: there will be one Department where entrepreneurs can go from the day they come up with an idea and need a patent, to the day they start building a product and need a warehouse, to the day they are ready to export and need help breaking into new markets overseas.

The new Department will lead the development and implementation of an integrated, strategic, government-wide trade effort and have a focused capacity to help businesses grow and thrive.

Business USA

We will also be unveiling a new website: BusinessUSA. This site will be a virtual one-stop shop with information for small businesses and businesses of all size that want to begin or increase exporting.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 13, 2012

Statement by the President on the Release of Burmese Political Prisoners

President Thein Sein’s decision to release hundreds of prisoners of conscience is a substantial step forward for democratic reform. Two months ago, I spoke with Aung San Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein about how America’s engagement can help empower democratic reform, and improve relations between our countries. Shortly afterwards, Hillary Clinton became the first Secretary of State to travel to Burma in over half a century. In her meetings in Nay Pyi Taw and Rangoon, she discussed with President Thein Sein and other leaders the steps that would advance a new beginning between our countries. A key part of that discussion was the need to unconditionally release prisoners of conscience and allow them to participate fully in public and political life.

Since that visit, there have been a number of positive developments, including the announcement of elections to be held on April 1, and the decision to allow Aung San Suu Kyi and her party to participate. There has also been an important ceasefire agreement reached with the Karen National Union, which the United States welcomes. Today, I applaud President Thein Seins’s decision to release hundreds of prisoners of conscience, which is a crucial step in Burma’s democratic transformation and national reconciliation process. I’m pleased that Aung San Suu Kyi has welcomed this step as she continues to pursue a dialogue with the government. I urge the government to ensure that these and all other former political prisoners are allowed to participate fully and freely in the political process, particularly the upcoming by-elections, and to free all remaining prisoners of conscience.

In Indonesia, I spoke about the flickers of progress that were emerging in Burma. Today, that light burns a bit brighter, as prisoners are reunited with their families and people can see a democratic path forward. Much more remains to be done to meet the aspirations of the Burmese people, but the United States is committed to continuing our engagement with the government in Nay Pyi Taw. I have directed Secretary Clinton and my Administration to take additional steps to build confidence with the government and people of Burma so that we seize this historic and hopeful opportunity. We will continue to support universal rights, and engage the government as it takes the additional steps necessary to advance freedom for prisoners of conscience, democratic governance, and national reconciliation.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2012

Readout of the President's Call with University of Alabama Coach Nick Saban

Earlier today, President Obama called Coach Nick Saban to congratulate him and the University of Alabama on their BCS Championship and their exceptional 2011-2012 season. The President said that he watched the entire championship game and could not have been more impressed with the Crimson Tide’s performance. The President commended the coach on his outstanding record and said that he looks forward to congratulating the team in person at the White House.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2012

President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Guatemala to Attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Otto Perez Molina

President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Republic of Guatemala to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency Otto Perez Molina on January 14, 2012.

The Honorable Aaron S. Williams, Director of the Peace Corps, will lead the delegation.

Members of the Presidential Delegation:

The Honorable Arnold A. Chacon, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Guatemala, Department of State

The Honorable Mary L. Landrieu, United States Senator, Louisiana

The Honorable Mark Feierstein, USAID Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2012

Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate Regarding the Debt Limit

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

Pursuant to section 3101A(a)(2)(A) of title 31, United States Code, I hereby certify that the debt subject to limit is within $100,000,000,000 of the limit in 31 U.S.C. 3101(b) and that further borrowing is required to meet existing commitments.

Sincerely,

BARACK OBAMA

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 12, 2012

Readout of the President's Call with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel

Today, as a part of their regular communication and cooperation on bilateral and regional issues, President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel. They reviewed the recent meetings between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Amman and the President reaffirmed his commitment to the goal of a comprehensive and lasting peace in the region. The two leaders also discussed recent Iran-related developments, including the international community’s efforts to hold Iran accountable for its failures to meet its international obligations. The President reiterated his unshakable commitment to Israel’s security, and the President and the Prime Minister promised to stay in touch in the coming weeks on these and other issues of mutual concern.

The White House

Office of the Vice President

For Immediate Release

January 11, 2012

Readout of the Vice President and National Security Advisor’s Meeting with the Qatari Prime Minister

Vice President Biden and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon met with Prime Minster and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al-Thani of Qatar today at the White House. They underscored the importance of the strong relationship between the United States and Qatar and discussed a broad range of bilateral and regional issues. In particular, they condemned the ongoing violence in Syria perpetrated by the Assad regime and noted the significance of the Arab League observer mission’s final report due on January 19. The Vice President and Mr. Donilon also reaffirmed the longstanding commitment of the United States to the security of our partners and allies, and agreed with the Prime Minister on the need to maintain stability in the region.

The White House

Office of the First Lady

For Immediate Release

January 11, 2012

First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Major Coordinated Effort by America's Academic Institutions to Combat PTSD & TBI

130 Medical Schools & Research Facilities to Join Forces to Serve Veterans & Families

(Richmond, Virginia) Today, as part of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden’s Joining Forces initiative, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) committed to creating a new generation of doctors, medical schools, and research facilities that will make sure our heroes and their families receive the care worthy of their sacrifice. Recognizing veterans, service members and their families’ dedication and commitment, 130 schools associated with the AAMC and AACOM pledged to leverage their missions in education, research, and clinical care to train the nation’s physicians to meet the unique health care needs of the military and veterans communities.

“I’m inspired to see our nation’s medical schools step up to address this pressing need for our veterans and military families. By directing some of our brightest minds, our most cutting-edge research, and our finest teaching institutions toward our military families, they’re ensuring that those who have served our country receive the first-rate care that they have earned,” says First Lady Michelle Obama.

Together, the AAMC and AACOM are committing to improve the education in their medical schools, the research in their laboratories, and the clinical care in their hospitals to better address the health issues that military families face. Specifically, these organizations are committing to:

• Train their medical students as well as their current physicians, faculty, and staff to better diagnose and treat our veterans and military families;
• Develop new research and clinical trials on PTSD and TBI so that we can better understand and treat those conditions;
• Share their information and best practices with one another through a collaborative web forum created by the AAMC; and
• Continue to work with the VA and the Department of Defense to make sure that everyone is providing the best care available.

“Because of our integrated missions in education, clinical care, and research, America’s medical schools are uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in this important effort,” said Darrell G. Kirch, M.D., president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges. “Medical schools have long recognized the sacrifice and commitment of our military, veterans, and their families. The relationship between the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers and academic medicine dates back to the end of World War II and serves as a model for successful partnerships between public and private institutions. Our work with the White House on Joining Forces is a natural extension of our efforts in this area and renews our commitment to the wellness of our nation’s military.”

“A central component of the White House Joining Forces Initiative is wellness, and I am pleased to announce AACOM’s participation in a new Joining Forces effort that could have a significant impact on the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans.” Dr. Stephen C. Shannon, President and CEO, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

Examples of universities stepping up to provide for veterans and their families include:

• Virginia Commonwealth University where they’re leading a groundbreaking project to provide resources and training to health care providers, volunteers, and community members throughout Virginia who can help ease the transition home for veterans with TBI and PTSD.
• The University of Pittsburgh where researchers are developing a new imaging tool that allows the visualization of the wiring of the brain in vivid high definition, which could lead to new breakthroughs in the diagnosis of TBI.
• The University of South Florida where they are working with the Department of Defense and the VA to create a first-of-its-kind Center for Veterans Reintegration, which will mean a single, cohesive research, treatment, and education facility for veterans and families.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden created Joining Forces to bring Americans together to recognize, honor and take action to support veterans and military families as they serve our country and throughout their lives. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of society to ensure veterans and military families have the support they have earned. The initiative focuses on key priority areas – employment, education, and wellness while raising awareness about the service, sacrifice, and needs of America’s veterans and military families. More information is available at: www.JoiningForces.gov.

The following is a list of the 130 universities and colleges participating in this program:
• University of Alabama School of Medicine
• University of South Alabama College of Medicine
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine
• Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
• AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine of Arizona
• University of Arizona College of Medicine
• Loma Linda University
• Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
• Touro University California College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Stanford University School of Medicine
• UC Davis Health System
• University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
• David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
• Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
• Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Colorado School of Medicine
• Yale School of Medicine
• Georgetown University School of Medicine
• George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Howard University College of Medicine
• Florida State University College of Medicine
• Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida International University
• Nova Southeastern University College os Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Florida College of Medicine
• USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
• Emory University School of Medicine
• Medical College of Georgia at Georgia Health Sciences University
• Mercer University School of Medicine
• Morehouse School of Medicine
• University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine
• Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
• Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University
• Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
• Rush University Medical Center, Chicago
• Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
• The Chicago Medical School in conjunction with the Lovell Federal Health Care Center
• University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
• University of Illinois College of Medicine
• Indiana University
• University of Kansas Medical Center
• University of Kentucky College of Medicine
• University of Pikeville Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans
• Tulane University School of Medicine
• Boston University School of Medicine
• Harvard Medical School
• Tufts University School of Medicine
• University of Massachusetts Medical School
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Uniformed Services University of the Health Science's F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine
• University of Maryland School of Medicine
• University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
• Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Michigan Medical School
• Wayne State University School of Medicine
• University of Minnesota Medical School
• Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine AT Still University
• Saint Louis University
• University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine
• University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine
• Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
• University of Mississippi School of Medicine
• Creighton University School of Medicine
• University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine
• The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
• Wake Forest School of Medicine
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
• University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Dartmouth Medical School
• Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - New Jersey Medical School
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of New Mexico School of Medicine
• University of Nevada School of Medicine
• Hofstra North Shore - LIJ School of Medicine
• New York Institute of Technology New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
• State University of New York Upstate Medical University
• Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University at Buffalo State University of New York School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
• Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
• The Ohio State University
• Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
• University of Toledo College of Medicine
• Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
• Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
• Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine
• Pacific Northwest University of Health Science College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Commonwealth Medical College
• Drexel University College of Medicine
• Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
• Penn State University College of Medicine
• Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Temple University School of Medicine
• University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine
• Ponce School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine
• University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Greenville
• University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine
• Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Meharry Medical College
• Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
• Baylor College of Medicine
• The Texas A & M Health Science Center College of Medicine
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine Paul L. Foster School of Medicine
• The University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
• The University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio
• University of Texas Medical School at Houston
• University of Utah School of Medicine
• Eastern Virginia Medical School
• University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
• Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
• University of Washington School of Medicine
• Medical College of Wisconsin
• University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
• The Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University
• West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
• West Virginia University School of Medicine

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 11, 2012

President Obama Issues Call to Action to Invest in America at White House "Insourcing American Jobs" Forum

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, President Obama will call on companies across the nation to invest in America at an “Insourcing American Jobs” forum at the White House. The forum will focus on the increasing trend of insourcing – where companies are bringing jobs back to the United States and making additional investments here in America. The President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet and other Senior Administration Officials will lead a discussion on ways to encourage companies across the country to insource American jobs and help rebuild our economy for the future.

In the coming weeks, the President will put forward new ways to encourage American companies to seize this opportunity to increase investment here at home and bring jobs back to America. In the coming weeks, the President will put forward new tax proposals to reward companies that choose to invest or bring back jobs to the United States, and to eliminate tax advantages for companies moving jobs overseas.

In prepared remarks, President Obama will say, “Today I am meeting with companies choosing to invest in the one country with the most productive workers, best universities, and most creative and innovative entrepreneurs in the world: the United States of America. That’s exactly the kind of commitment to country we need – especially now, at this make-or-break moment for the middle class. And I’m calling on those businesses that haven’t brought jobs back to take this opportunity to get the American people back to work. That’s how we’ll rebuild an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded – and a nation where those values live on.”

“Since day one, this Administration has been focused on encouraging investment and job creation here at home,” Vice President Biden added. “The business leaders coming here from across the country today have looked at the facts and concluded what the President and I have been saying all along: that America is the best place in the world to do business and create jobs. We’re calling on other companies to follow their lead and bring jobs back to America—jobs that provide middle-class families not just with a paycheck, but with a fundamental sense of dignity.”

In conjunction with the forum, the White House today released a report that details the emerging trend of “insourcing” and how companies are increasingly choosing to invest in the United States. For example, real business fixed investment has grown by about 18% since the end of 2009. In the past two years, 334,000 manufacturing jobs have been created, while manufacturing production has increased by about 5.7 percent on an annualized basis since its low in June of 2009, its fastest pace in a decade. In addition, continued productivity growth has – as several outside analysts have noted – made the United States more competitive in attracting businesses to invest and create jobs by reducing the relative cost of doing business compared to other countries. The full report can be found HERE.

While other countries often advocate at the national level for business investment, the United States has historically left this activity to the states. The President launched the SelectUSA program in 2011 to address this critical gap, creating the first federal program to promote and facilitate U.S. investment in partnership with our states. To build on early success, the President will be proposing, in his FY13 Budget, $12 million in new resources to increase SelectUSA to 35 full-time employees. An expanded SelectUSA will:

• Build a comprehensive worldwide foreign direct investment promotion program: SelectUSA will be fully resourced to engage and assist potential investors to the U.S. from all major global markets.

• Support more than 300 investment cases per year: SelectUSA will build a case management team to oversee ombudsman and advocacy cases, enabling SelectUSA’s and its multi-agency investment team to work with states and cities to address issues that impede business investment.

• Host a SelectUSA Conference in Washington D.C. to boost investment in the U.S.: The Administration will host a two day investment conference with all levels of government and businesses from around the world to attract companies to our shores, address issues companies face in choosing to invest in the U.S., and providing relevant information from federal agencies to support investment and insourcing jobs.

As a part of the administration’s ongoing We Can’t Wait efforts, the administration also announced several common-sense steps it has taken to incentivize insourcing:

• Building use of SBA’s International Trade Loan program to support small businesses seeking to insource. The Small Business Administration will launch an effort using its existing authority to educate businesses about opportunities to access insourcing loans through the SBAs International Trade Loan program, which provides generous loan support (loans up to $5 million and a guarantee up to 90 percent) for small businesses that are trying to access foreign markets or are adversely impacted by imports. While many small businesses that are insourcing are eligible for these loans, few have taken advantage of the program. SBA will expand outreach efforts around this product by informing small businesses across the country of their eligibility for this opportunity and helping them apply for loans to bring production back home.

• Launching a partnership between Commerce and the State Department to promote investment in 10 priority countries through the Foreign Commercial Service supported by the U.S. Embassies. This pilot effort will dedicate resources from Commerce’s Foreign Commercial Service (FCS) to investment promotion in 10 pilot countries representing 30% of foreign direct investment in the United States, expanding to cover 25 countries in 2013 representing roughly 90% of FDI. U.S. Ambassadors will lead these efforts, engaging officials from State and other in country officials to assist investment promotion through business outreach, hosting ‘investment missions’ with governors and mayors, and connecting foreign firms to Select USA services.

• Increasing support for states’ efforts to promote investment through federal officials in Export Assistance Centers (USEACs) in more than 100 cities. Officials will serve as a local link for state economic development officials and Select USA services to ensure federal advocacy for state efforts and address any federal issues requiring rapid resolution.

These efforts build on previous actions by the administration to support efforts by businesses to create jobs and invest in the United States. A fact sheet providing additional background on administration efforts to support increased investments in America can be found HERE.

A full list of attendees at the event today is below:

Members of the Cabinet and administration officials in attendance include Secretary John Bryson, Secretary Hilda Solis, Administrator Karen Mills, Ambassador Ron Kirk, Chair Fred Hochberg, NEC Director Gene Sperling, Chief of Staff Bill Daley, CEA Chairman Alan Krueger, Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Nancy-Ann DeParle.

In addition, Governor John Kitzhaber, State of Oregon, Mayor Kasim Reed, City of Atlanta, Bob King, President, United Auto Workers, Leo Gerard, President, United Steelworkers, Hal Sirkin, Boston Consulting Group, Harold Moser, Founder, The Reshoring Initiative, James Manyika, Director, McKinsey Global Institute and Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company, and Brad Jensen, Professor, Georgetown University will also be in attendance.

Below are the representatives from the companies in attendance at forum who have brought jobs back or decided to make significant investments in the United States:

Ford (Mark Fields, President of the Americas)
Ford's competitive labor agreement with its UAW partners is making it possible to build small cars profitably in the U.S., invest $16 billion here at home, and add 12,000 jobs in U.S. plants by 2015. In fact, Ford is insourcing jobs from China, Japan and Mexico. Instead of adding production for the Fusion in Mexico, Ford is planning to bring that additional work to its Flat Rock plant in Michigan. This insourcing effort will ensure the viability of a key assembly plant in the U.S. and add over 1,200 new jobs. Also, Ford has committed to in-source the production of F-650 and F-750 commercial trucks from a joint venture in Mexico to Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio. This will make Ford the first auto manufacturer to produce Class 6 and Class 7 trucks in the U.S. and help retain nearly 2,000 jobs in that plant.

DuPont (Mark Vergnano, Executive Vice President)
As part of broad investments the company is making across its portfolio, DuPont started up a new $500 million plant last year to produce Kevlar anti-ballistic fiber near Charleston, South Carolina, that created over 500 construction and 135 full time jobs. The company has made a recent $150 million investment in an expansion of its photovolatic film production in Circleville, Ohio creating over 70 jobs, and is investing some $150 million to expand agricultural research in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Delaware creating over 500 jobs.

Otis Elevator Company (Randy Wilcox, President, North America)
Otis, a unit of United Technologies Corporation, is the world’s largest manufacturer and maintainer of elevators, escalators and moving walkways. Otis has invested in a major new plant in South Carolina that co-locates multiple functions from various geographic locations, including Mexico, into one highly efficient, state-of-the-art facility that will produce energy-efficient elevators for US and Canadian customers. The facility will result in 360 new jobs in South Carolina and will enable close cooperation between our engineering, design, manufacturing and supply chain teams, which will promote innovation and achieve future cost savings in serving our customers throughout North America. Hiring for the plant will begin in the next few weeks.

Intel (Brian Krzanich, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Manufacturing and Supply Chain)
From 2002 to 2010, Intel spent $68 billion on U.S. operations, manufacturing and R&D. 75% of the company’s product manufacturing is conducted in the United States while 80% of its revenue is earned abroad. The company employs 44,000 individuals in high tech high wage jobs across America and is the leading private sector employer in Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico. Most recently, in September 2011, Intel announced it was partnering with IBM and other companies as part of a $4.4 billion investment over five years to create a semiconductor research and development hub in New York to develop next-generation chip technology. This combined investment will create about 4,400 jobs and result in the retention of another 2,500 existing jobs in upstate New York.

Siemens (Eric Spiegel, President and CEO, Siemens USA)
Siemens, a global integrated technology company operating in the industry, infrastructure, energy and healthcare sectors, employs more than 60,000 people and has 100 manufacturing sites across the United States. The company has invested nearly half a billion dollars in the United States over the past four years. It has chosen to invest in the United States because of the proximity it provides to its customers, the ability to locate near highly skilled workers, access to infrastructure to power its plants, transport components, and move products to market and the ability to co-locate manufacturing and R&D. Siemens invests nearly $50 million annually in training its U.S. workforce. Today, the Ex-Im Bank announced approval of export financing for power generation equipment supporting 825 jobs at Siemens’ North Carolina plant. Ex-Im Bank financing helped Siemens win the sale against competition from Japan, Germany and Korea.

ThyssenKrupp (Christian Konig, President, ThyssenKrupp North America)
The new steel and stainless steel manufacturing and processing plant in Alabama opened by Germany-based ThyssenKrupp AG in December 2010 represents one of the biggest ever business investments in the USA by a foreign-domiciled company. ThyssenKrupp invested approximately $5 billion dollars in the overall complex, $3.6 billion of which went to facilities that will manufacture premium carbon steel and $1.4 billion of which toward stainless steel production. Construction of the 3,700 acre site, approximately four times larger than New York’s Central Park, generated thousands of new construction jobs and close to $100 million in wages from the time it began in November 2007 until the plant’s opening in 2010. The facility will employ 2,700 individuals and produce 5.1 million metric tons of premium carbon and stainless steel products per year when fully operational. In fiscal year 2010/2011, ThyssenKrupp USA subsidiaries employed approximately 19,100 individuals, an increase of nearly 2,000 employees compared to the year prior.

Rolls Royce (James Guyette, President and CEO, Rolls-Royce North America)
Last year, Rolls-Royce dedicated its Crosspointe, Virginia plant, the company’s newest facility in the world and its first facility in the U.S. built from the ground up. The Crosspointe plant produces aero engine discs for both Boeing and Airbus aircraft and will result in a $500 million dollar investment and 500 jobs. Rolls-Royce also recently held a hiring event at the company’s Indianapolis facilities to fill 87 openings for skilled machinists, jobs that are the result of insourcing work and a new contract with the United Auto Workers.

Master Lock (John Heppner, CEO)
Master Lock is the world's largest manufacturer of padlocks and related security products. Since mid-2010, Master Lock has returned approximately 100 jobs back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin that had previously been off-shored. The decision to bring these jobs back was partially motivated by economic reasons related to increasingly higher labor and logistics costs in Asia, and further, ongoing labor availability challenges especially in the coastal areas of China, which have negatively impacted continuity in supply to its key customers. Master Lock plans to continue bringing jobs back to Wisconsin, citing a more competitive overall cost structure, greater control, and the ability to provide better service to its customers.

Lincolnton Furniture (Bruce Cochrane, President and CEO)
Lincolnton Furniture, a small specialty furniture maker opening in North Carolina, is adding 130 new jobs and re-starting operations at a once vacant plant. Bruce Cochrane, the current owner and CEO, comes from a family that manufacturer furniture in North Carolina. The family business was sold and eventually the new owners moved manufacturing to China. Bruce worked as a consultant in Asia for twelve years, importing furniture to the US. Two years ago, he decided the time was right to start his own furniture company back in the US, in North Carolina, in the same plant his family once ran. He recently opened operations and is adding 130 jobs to the area.

GalaxE. Solutions (Tim Bryan, Chairman and CEO)
GalaxE Solutions was established in 1990 and specialized in custom software application development for Fortune 50 corporations, with a particular focus on health care. A little over a year ago the company created the "Outsource to Detroit" program that is a model for repatriating jobs back to the United States. Key benefits include complex, quality solutions, geographic proximity to U.S. customers, cost efficiencies, and elimination of linguistic issues. GalaxE. Solutions opened operations in Detroit in 2010 and, with 150 professionals on board, is well on its way to its goal of hiring 500 IT specialists. The firm is also working with the area's universities and community colleges to train and retrain professionals for the future.

AGS (Joe LoParco, Co-President)
Canadian company AGS Automotive Systems was recently awarded a significant contract for the manufacture of automotive components. Working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and other local Michigan agencies, AGS recently elected to make an investment in excess of $20 million to add new manufacturing capabilities to permit it to manufacture a portion of the bumper impact assemblies in Michigan. The new business will likely represent in excess of $100 million in annual sales over the next 5 years and will enable AGS to retain approximately 50 jobs and create over 100 new jobs in Michigan. Coordination between the company and local officials in Michigan was facilitated by SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce program that promotes business investment in the United States and launched by President Obama in June 2011.

KEEN (James Curleigh, CEO)
KEEN manufactures original hybrid outdoor and casual products, including footwear, bags and socks. In 2010, KEEN decided to build a factory near their headquarters in Portland, Oregon to create competitive advantages in the market, including production capacity and agility, quality and delivery assurance, duty and transportation reduction, costing and commodity expertise, training and development, and intellectual and innovation protection. The modern factory relies on skilled labor and improved automation to design, test, and manufacture the best of ‘built in America’ Footwear. The company has created 20 jobs initially and can increase capacity by adding more jobs and shifts based on increased demand. They have also used this factory to launch a new category of work boots – built in America for American workers – called KEEN Utility.

Chesapeake Bay Candle (Mei Xu, Co-Owner and President)
Chesapeake Bay Candle is in the process of hiring 100 workers to staff its new 117,000 square foot plant in Maryland that will produce the company’s signature candles. The plant represents the company's first expansion in the United States in 16 years and will supplement existing facilities in China and Vietnam. Mei Xu, the Co-Owner and President of the company, has said that she believes consumers both in the United States and abroad are willing to pay a premium for products manufactured in America.

NOVO 1 (Mary Murcott, CEO)
Since 1987, NOVO 1 has been dedicated to tailoring contact center solutions to support clients’ business goals in building customer relationships and growing their brands. NOVO 1’s Smart Desktop Solutions and Customer Obsession Program, incorporate game-changing technology and top 1% industry best- practices to design customized solutions to provide ideal customer experiences. Last year, NOVO 1 officials announced they were opening a 30,000 square foot customer contact facility in the Eisenhower Business Center in Denison, Texas. They will employ up to 300 people over the next three years and are operational as of September. They also opened a new office in 2010 in Holland, Michigan, where 300 people are currently employed.