Manufacturer & Business Association to Host US Secretary of Commerce for Business Leader Roundtable
ERIE – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will participate in a business roundtable discussion with select Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) members at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1st at the MBA Conference Center, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie, PA. 16508. For security purposes and to remain compliant with Pennsylvania COVID-19 guidelines, only pre-approved media personnel are invited to attend.
“We are excited to host the Secretary of Commerce.” said MBA President and CEO John Krahe. “Our members are uniquely positioned to provide ‘boots-on-the-ground’ feedback on the economic affects the coronavirus pandemic has had and what is still needed for re-opening efforts. At a time of uncertainty, it is a breath of fresh air this administration is committed to manufacturers and those they employ, particularly our membership throughout western and central Pennsylvania.
The new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will go into effect July 1 and will be a key topic for Wednesday’s discussion. Additional topics will include: what’s needed to bring back more domestic manufacturing; reopening the country; federal resources still needed; lessons learned from business shutdown; difficulty that the $600 federal UC benefit has created for small businesses; personal stories from attendees about how they produced COVID related PPE; payroll tax credits; business operations if there would be a second wave of the virus.
“Having this event on July 1 at the MBA is significant on a national stage with the USMCA going into effect.” Said Krahe. “Our members have come to expect a voice in government and our existing relationships allow us to do this at the highest levels.”
