Rep. Sykes Meets With Greater Akron Chamber To Discuss Supporting Small Businesses And Creating An Economy That Works For All
AKRON, OH — This week, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) met with local business leaders and members of the Greater Akron Chamber (GAC), University of Akron, and Kent State University to discuss economic issues facing Northeast Ohio and Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“Small businesses form the backbone of our economy. I was glad to meet with local leaders from the Greater Akron Chamber, University of Akron, and Kent State University to discuss ways we can work together to give small businesses the tools they need to take care of their employees and grow their companies, advance innovation, and create workforce development programs that will allow more Northeast Ohioans to access good-paying jobs,” said Rep. Sykes. “I’m working to bring back federal resources and cut red tape for small businesses in our district, which create good-paying jobs and deliver essential goods to our communities. When small businesses and local entrepreneurs have the funding and support they need, we build an economy that works for all of us.”
“We appreciate the leadership and support of Congresswoman Sykes as we work to capitalize on our region’s most unique high growth opportunity,” said John Rizzo, Vice President of Government Affairs, Greater Akron Chamber. “Advancing the work of the Polymer Industry Cluster and transformational investments in our region’s key industries will have global impact and will put our region on a new growth trajectory.”
Rep. Sykes and participants discussed the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s recent announcement designating Greater Akron as a Tech Hub for Sustainable Polymers and a recipient of the Phase 1 Strategy Development Grant, which makes it one of only 30 entities nationwide eligible for tens of millions of dollars in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act.
Rep. Sykes and members of the GAC also emphasized the need to invest in workforce development programs to build a pipeline of workers who are equipped with the skills needed for the jobs of the future. Rep. Sykes is a co-sponsor of the National Apprenticeship Act, which invests more than $3.85 billion over five years to increase access to registered apprenticeships (RAs), youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships. The proposal would create nearly one million new apprenticeship opportunities on top of the current expected growth of the apprenticeship system. During her time as Ohio House Minority Leader, Rep. Sykes championed bipartisan legislation to create the TechCred and Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP) to expand job training and workforce development opportunities in Ohio.