Governor Kitzhaber joined President Obama yesterday at the White House to call on companies across the nation to invest in America at an “Insourcing American Jobs” forum. The forum focused on the increasing trend of insourcing – where companies are bringing jobs back to the United States and making additional investments here in America.
Governor Kitzhaber joined the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet and other Senior Administration Officials along with representatives from companies that have brought jobs back or decided to make significant investments in the United States.
“Today I am meeting with companies who chose 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,” said President Obama. “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.”
“I stand with the President today in his call to bring jobs back to America,” said Governor Kitzhaber. “To maintain our manufacturing base and to encourage even more production in Oregon, we need to have a long-term business plan, an educational system that provides students and workers with advanced skills, reliable and affordable energy, and an environment that encourages investment by lowering fixed costs such as healthcare. We are working on all these things, and following through on them will mean a sustained and robust advanced manufacturing sector in Oregon.”
Governor Kitzhaber was asked to participate in the discussion and share the Oregon story along with James Curleigh, CEO of KEEN, Inc. and Brian Krzanich, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Manufacturing and Supply Chain of Intel Corporation.
In under a decade, Portland-based KEEN has grown from its first trademark sandal with innovative toe protection, to more than 500 shoe styles, becoming a worldwide leader in the footwear and apparel industry. Since 1974, Intel has made capital investments in Oregon totaling approximately $20 billion, most recently with its $3 billion leading edge wafer fabrication facility in Hillsboro.
