Yeah, the Labor Secretary is supposed is say crazy-happy stuff. But this is complete fantasyland. Let’s roll it for posterity, with fact checks:
Charlotte is a great example of the progress we as a country are making in turning around the economy. When President Obama took office 20 months ago, the country was losing an incomprehensible 800,000 jobs a month and the unemployment rate in the Charlotte area had nearly doubled in less than a year. Now the country is averaging almost 100,000 new jobs a month, and Charlotte is experiencing an employment rebound. When President Obama took office Mecklenburg County had 411,566 jobs. The latest state figures show the county has almost 800 fewer jobs — 410,789, or a decline of 33,000 from April 2008. There is no employment rebound. At all.
I believe Charlotte represents the future of the American economy. The city is focused on clean energy and green jobs, and it understands that investing in our workers makes good sense.
This summer, I toured a facility at Celgard, one of several companies in Charlotte helping to make America a worldwide leader in advanced manufacturing. Celgard’s production of advanced batteries for the electric drive vehicle market is not just driving business and increasing company profits. It is also a win for the environment, helping to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And, of course, it is a win for workers who have new jobs in a growing industry. Sec. Solis fails to mention that Celgard, a battery maker for electric vehicles will get a $49 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The state of North Carolina will provide another $18 million. Together the $67 million in taxpayer subsidies are expected to produce up to 289 new jobs in the county. If so, that would mean each job cost $231,844 in direct subsidies. It would take over $8 billion in additional subsidies to use this approach to replace all the jobs Charlotte lost in this recession.
As secretary of labor, I am always pleased to see such successes. See above. But I am even more encouraged to know that they are not the exception. There are so many other great examples of progress and promise. For instance, MDC, Inc. – based in Chapel Hill – is using a nearly $4 million Labor Department grant to launch its “Career Pathways for a Green South” jobs program. The program will train and place hundreds of individuals in green (alternative and efficient energy) industries and businesses throughout the region. And Goodwill Industries International will use a $7 million grant to implement an innovative job training model in six communities, including Charlotte.
These, and the myriad other investments in American workers will pay great dividends for years to come. Just think about it. We are getting people back to work, preparing them for the jobs of the future and enabling American businesses to remain on the cutting edge of technology. That is a surefire way to spur our economy!
The U.S. economic landscape is undoubtedly changing, and our nation can become stronger because of it. So, what’s next? I, for one, am committed to making training opportunities widely available, so unemployed workers at every level can retool and re-enter the workforce. I certainly don’t think cutting corners on worker health and safety is the answer either. Keeping workers safe matters far more than saving a few cents – it also improves a company’s bottom line. But more than anything, this is no time for our country to look back. Now is the time to build on the progress we are already making. It’s true, we have a lot of work to do. But I’m placing my bet on two winners: Charlotte and America. Charlotte will lag the national unemployment rate for the foreseeable future. How is that winning?
Like I said, should be a keeper.
