[h=3]Companies “Spending Massively” On US Manufacturing.[/h]
Philly (PA) (5/4, Rittenhouse) reports that several companies are “spending massively to invest in US manufacturing.” Under Armour has opened “a 35,000-square-foot product-innovation center, called ‘UA Lighthouse,’” in Baltimore Maryland. Adidas “announced in March it will open a
second ‘Speedfactory’ in Atlanta.” Tesla “revealed in its 2016 earnings report its plans to possibly open three more of its massive Gigafactory plants.” Amazon “said it plans to create 30,000 part-time positions and 100,000 full-time jobs this year while it rapidly grows its warehouse base.” Walmart “has made a whopping $250 billion
commitment to boost manufacturing in the U.S. through 2023,” Philly (PA) adds.
[h=3]Apple CEO Cook Explains Value Of $1B Investment In Advanced Manufacturing.[/h]
Wired (5/4) reports that in an interview with CNBC, Apple CEO Tim Cook explained his companies decision to launch “a $1 billion fund to invest in advanced manufacturing companies in the United States.” Cook said by doing so Apple “can be the ripple in the pond,” and added that “those manufacturing jobs create jobs around them.” Wired says of Cook’s statement, “That’s true,” and adds that “according to the National Association of Manufacturers, for every $1 invested in manufacturing, $1.81 is injected back into the economy.” Wired quotes NAM Director of Innovation Policy Brian Raymond saying “When you talk about why this matters, not only is it the billion investment, but the multiplier effect around it.” Raymond characterizes the Apple investment as “a long-term, future play,” adding that “if it’s an investment around advanced manufacturing, integrating technology into products and shop floors, it should be beneficial across the board.” Raymond further notes that “manufacturing is now digital,” and therefore “it is a different set of skills.” The Wired article also states that “a recent survey conducted by NAM found that while manufacturers see tremendous opportunity in advanced manufacturing, 40 percent say the skills gap is the chief barrier to taking advantage of that opportunity.”
[h=3]Toyota Announces Two Michigan Expansions Totaling $154M.[/h]The
Detroit Free Press (5/4, Snavely) reports that “Toyota is collectively spending $154 million to expand its York Township and Ann Arbor Township R&D centers.” The Free Press adds that “the Japanese automaker unveiled a 135,000-square-foot expansion of its research and development center in York Township on Thursday,” and is also “spending about $28 million to expand its nearby operations in Ann Arbor Township so the automaker can develop more of the engines and automatic transmissions for vehicles designed and manufactured in North America.”
Automotive News (5/4, Truett) reports that “1,600 employees are working at the revamped center and that further expansion is possible.”
Too much winning ..........stop it; I can't take it.
resident Trump on Wednesday proposed sharp reductions in both individual and corporate income tax rates, reducing the number of individual income tax brackets to three – 10 percent, 25 percent and 35 percent.” The Times adds that Trump’s plan would “double the standard deduction,” eliminate most itemized deductions “but would leave in place the popular deductions for mortgage interest and charitable contributions,” and would repeal “the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax.” 
