Provision written by Loebsack allows for today's announcement
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the U.S. Army announced that the Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center has been designated a Center of Industrial Excellence (CITE) for Foundry operations. The designation comes as a result of a provision Loebsack authored and worked to pass as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. This certification recognizes RIA-JMTC's unique Foundry capabilities and will allow RIA-JMTC to enter into public-private partnerships to perform work, which will enhance its operations.
"Today's announcement by the Army is great news for the Arsenal, JMTC and the hard working men and women of the Quad City region," said Loebsack. "I was proud to successfully work to ensure Rock Island Arsenal can receive CITE designations like this one. It is a recognition of the unique Foundry capabilities at JMTC and the highly skilled workforce there. It will further improve the Arsenal's ability to enter into public-private partnerships, provide for our men and women in combat, advance core skills and manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen JMTC's future as a unique facility within the Army."
Loebsack worked on a bipartisan basis to get this provision signed into law in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act to allow arsenals to receive CITE designations for manufacturing capabilities. CITE designations allow facilities to enter into public-private partnerships and improve the core capabilities that the facility provides for the Army.
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