Episode 1: Strengthening American Manufacturing with Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Manufacturing an American Century podcast! In this episode, your host Matt Bogoshian reconnects with an old friend and esteemed guest, Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce for the United States. Get ready to dive into a dynamic conversation about the critical role of American manufacturing in shaping our economy, innovation, and national security.

📢 Episode Highlights:

Manufacturing’s Crucial Role: Don passionately shares why manufacturing is the cornerstone of the American economy. He emphasizes its significance in driving economic success, supporting national security, and fostering innovation.

Policy and Programs: Discover the administration’s dedication to rebuilding manufacturing leadership and strengthening communities. Don sheds light on key legislative efforts like the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science and more, aimed at producing thriving manufacturing ecosystems.

Public-Private Partnerships: The conversation delves into the importance of teamwork at the regional and federal levels. Don underscores the necessity of collaborative efforts between public and private stakeholders to implement effective interventions that drive economic growth.

Equity and Inclusion: Don emphasizes that equity isn’t just a feel-good notion – it’s a critical driver of economic success. He explains how fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in manufacturing is essential for unlocking untapped potential and ensuring a robust workforce for the future.

ESG and Corporate Trends: The episode wraps up with a discussion about how private sector trends, such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, are reshaping manufacturing operations and driving progress through partnerships with public and nonprofit sectors.

Tune in to this insightful episode to gain a deeper understanding of how American manufacturing plays a pivotal role in our economic landscape, the power of collaboration, and the imperative of equity in driving a prosperous future for all. Don’t miss out – join us in Manufacturing an American Century!

Thank you for listening to the Manufacturing an American Century podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help us continue bringing you thought-provoking discussions and insights. Stay tuned for our next episode with Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Institute’s Dr. Tulinda Larsen. 

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the pro bono expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike!

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.