Exclusive…Mayor Rogero  responded today with an  in-depth statement provided exclusively to the Knoxville Focus  about  the Tennessee Valley Region being selected for the  Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP.)

For more information on how this program directly effects the Knoxville region please visit this website

http://www.eda.gov/challenges/imcp/files/IMCP_2_Pager_Handout_Tennessee.pdf

—Statement from the Mayor Rogero—-

Mayor Rogero’s reaction to the Obama Administration designating the Tennessee Valley as one of the first 12 Manufacturing Communities

“A large group collaborated to make the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership designation a reality – the University of Tennessee, ORNL, Innovation Valley and many others,” Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said.

“The idea behind the designation of the Tennessee Valley as one of the nation’s first 12 Manufacturing Communities is not just that we’re an area with great growth potential.

“Rather, the Tennessee Valley has that right chemistry – the can-do entrepreneurial spirit mixed with innovative public-private partnerships – to be a leader in creating jobs and recreating business models.

“Wednesday was a great day for manufacturing in East Tennessee. Local Motors opened up its retail store on Market Square and announced plans to debut the first 3D printed car in the world. A few hours later, the White House named the Tennessee Valley as one of the 12 Manufacturing Communities.

“Other companies see bold pioneers like Local Motors choosing Knoxville as the place they want to be, and they think, ‘Why not Knoxville?’

“The Tennessee Valley is well-poised to take advantage of and to live up to the Manufacturing Communities designation. It’s an exciting time to be living and working in East Tennessee.”