|
Robert Bentley on Free Trade
|
|
|
Spread word far & wide: Made in Alabama
Word is spreading far and wide that Alabama is a great place for companies to do business. There are over 60 Japanese companies in Alabama.I had the opportunity to travel there to recruit more jobs and strengthen relationships with Japan's biotech
industry. I sat on the bus next to the CEO of Otsuka, the parent company of Pharmavite in Lee County. I told him about UAB and Southern Research Institute, and the work they do in the fields of bio-tech research. As a result, Otsuka will be meeting with
those institutions to explore ways they can work together in the research and development of new products.
Companies like Otsuka have quickly recognized, as others have, that we have a positive business climate and that our job training program is
second to none. But without doubt our greatest asset for any industry is our workforce, the men and women of this state who get up every day and go to work to produce, build and develop a product, a good or a service that is Made in Alabama.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Alabama legislature
, Jan 14, 2014
$241K to promote AL exports and international trade
Governor Bentley announced that Alabama has won two separate grants totaling $240,600 to increase exports. The grants will work to increase the number of companies exporting by providing hands-on assistance through market research, trade leads
and identifying qualified international buyers. "These two grants will allow Alabama to provide funding for our state's companies to sell more Alabama products and services overseas and create jobs through increasing our exports," said Governor Bentley.
Source: Alabama 2011 gubernatorial press release #5716
, Oct 5, 2011
Reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank.
Bentley signed Letter on Ex-Im Bank
Press release on Letter from 31 Governors to House Republican leaders:
We urge you to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) before its charter expires this year. In its role as the official export credit agency, Ex-Im is a vital export finance tool for exporters in our states, at no cost to American taxpayers.
Ex-Im allows our companies and workers to compete on a level playing field against our competitors. Without Ex-Im financing, US firms would have lost many sales campaigns to their overseas competitors.
Reauthorizing Ex-Im is the right thing to do for our economy, companies and workers. 41 GOP lawmakers and 865 business organizations have called for the charter's immediate renewal. And, House Democrats have already introduced legislation to reauthorize the bank. Speaker Boehner, it's time to act; quit jeopardizing the nation's economy and American jobs.
Argument in opposition from FreedomWorks:
Top Ten Reasons to Let the
Export-Import Bank Expire- It Has Outlived Its Purpose: In the 2010s, US exports have been setting record highs--they don't need government help.
- It Lets Government Pick Winners and Losers
- Its Risky Loans Put it in Danger of Needing Taxpayer Bailouts
- It Costs Taxpayers Money Annually, thanks to government accounting gimmicks
- Most of Its Funding Goes to Big Corporations Who Don't Need the Money
- It Lets Foreign Corporations Undercut US Competitors
- It Only Benefits a Few States, but Every State Bears the Costs
- It Is Prone to Corruption (like whenever you involve the government in handing out money)
- There Are Better Ways to Help US. Manufacturers: the government should lower and simplify the tax and regulatory burden US companies face.
- It Is Unnecessary. The Ex-Im Bank cannot justify its continued existence. It's also one of the easiest programs to retire, as its authorization expires in September 2014 if Congress simply does nothing.
Source: Letter from 31 Governors 14_Lt_ExIm on Jul 15, 2014
Page last updated: Jul 25, 2017