Iowa Democrat seeks creation of lean manufacturing institute

A southeast Iowa lawmaker says offering training for manufacturers will help the state compete globally. Representative Phil Wise, a Democrat from Keokuk, recently introduced a bill to form a lean manufacturing institute using $250,000 from the state general fund. The bill would provide funds to the department of economic development for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Wise's bill would expand worker training already offered through the Iowa Manufacturing Extension Program at Iowa State University. During a legislative briefing at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Wise said American manufacturers must be more efficient to offset lower worker wages in other countries.

The institute would provide executive level, in-depth training assistance to Iowa manufacturing companies. The bill also allows the department of economic development to seek private sector moneys for support of the lean manufacturing institute.

For more information, contact State Representative Philip Wise at philip.wise@legis.state.ia.us.