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Sen. Brown tours YBI, 3D printing company
YOUNGSTOWN
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, toured Bravura 3D LLC, a 3-D printing company housed at the Youngstown Business Incubator, on Friday and called for the passage of the Revitalize American Manufacturing Innovation Act.
“It would ensure that ideas in the United States stay in the United States,” Brown said, adding that the bill, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., has a good chance of reaching the president’s desk. “Companies like Bravura 3D put Youngstown on the map.”
The bill would create regional institutes across the country similar to the Youngstown-based America Makes, which focuses on additive manufacturing and is based at YBI facilities. America Makes is located at 236 W. Boardman St., downtown Youngstown.
The bill also is projected to create 10,000 jobs in the next five years, according to a press release from Brown’s office.
Barb Ewing, the chief operating officer of YBI, said business incubators have a “profound effect on local communities.”
Jessie Tuscano, co-founder of Bravura 3D, agreed. She said YBI and America Makes provide excellent resources for entrepreneurial drive.
“Local communities can be a part of this,” Tuscano said.
Additionally, the bill passed with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives last month. Mike Hripko, deputy director of America Makes, said it was refreshing to see Congress work together.
“[Passing the bill] provides stability for America Makes,” he said, noting that an advanced manufacturing institute would serve as a role model for other similar institutes.