Community Corner

Video: DeLauro Tells Local Business She Will Fight for Aid to Manufacturers

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro visited Prospect Machine Products on Friday, a business that benefited from a grant she helped facilitate.

PROSPECT — When U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro paid a visit to a group of local manufacturer, one of the first people she encountered was a machine shop manager who said he is tired of seeing federal assistance go outside the country. 

“I have a lot of difficulty with the federal government spending a lot of money overseas, and yet we have to twist arms in order to get money to come here,” said Louis G. Ramponi, manufacturing manager for Prospect Machine Products. “I love this country, I think it’s a great country… and I’m very passionate about manufacturing.”

In her response DeLauro argued, however, it’s much larger than just money going overseas. While she said one percent of the federal budget goes to aid abroad, DeLauro argued there are other industries — oil companies and big agriculture businesses — that are being subsidized by federal dollars.

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“You want to talk about a group of folks who are living high off the hog, excuse me, with unbelievable profits — $32 billion in profits in the first quarter — (they) are the five largest oil companies,” DeLauro said. “And they’re getting $41 billion in subsidizes from the federal government, (or) $4 billion a year. I want to take some of that $4 billion and bring it here.”

DeLauro paid a visit to this small manufacturing business on Friday to discuss a federal grant program that Congress is looking to reinstate: the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. Prospect Machine Products, a business of just over 25 workers located less than a mile from the Naugatuck border, benefited through this program when DeLauro helped facilitate a $95,000 machine grant to the business.

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Ramponi, and other officials at the company, thanked her for her efforts and her focus on assisting manufacturing in Connecticut. But the underlying concern about the state of manufacturing at the local level — as it competes in a global economy — was a major part of the half-hour discussion.

Prospect Machine Products  produces components for automobiles and ships to both domestic and foreign car companies. While business continues, Ramponi noted that business is hard at a time when assistance to manufacturing here dwindles.

“All we’re asking for is a level playing field with China and Taiwan,” he told Patch. “And I feel if we can level the playing field a bit we can beat ‘em all.”

The grant the Prospect business received came through TAA, which provides financial assistance to businesses that were hurt by NAFTA. Enacted in 2009, TAA has recently expired, and congressional Democrats are looking to reinstate it in the 2012 federal budget, according to The Wall Street Journal.

But the issue is deadlocked right now among lawmakers, as the U.S. looks to enter into new trade agreements with South Korea, Columbia and Panama, the newspaper reported. President Barack Obama’s administration said it won’t submit to trade deals unless Congress agrees to reinstate the TAA program. Some Republicans are against it, making it an issue of dispute at the federal level and the GOP-dominated House of Representatives, the Journal said.

DeLauro didn’t hold back in asking the business to spread the word on the TAA program and its benefits.

“I say to all of you, we need your support, (we) need your help, (we) need your voices, because it affects you directly,” she said. “That we’re able to pass that legislation, make it happen and get it signed into law by the president.”

At this local business, it’s a program that has worked, said Richard A. Laurenzi, president of the company.

“This program serves the entire country,” Laurenzi said, noting that Prospect Machine Products was a testament of its success. “It’s designed to help firms regain competiveness and growth, and it supports programs like employee training, workforce development and marketing.”

Laurenzi said the company applied for the grant in 2009 after having lost some of its business to Asian markets, where manufacturing is often centered in this age of globalization. Ramponi noted the environment is not competitive, because countries like China pay workers $20 per week and don’t have the regulations such as the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.

“I’m not saying OSHA and EPA shouldn’t be involved in Connecticut and all of the United States businesses, but we just need a more level playing field,” Ramponi.

DeLauro, noting that she is “pretty much known to be a big mouth,” said she won’t be silent on the TAA issue — whether it be with her colleagues or the Obama administration.

“You have my word: I will fight like hell,” she said.


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