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August 22, 2007 For more information, contact RCGA PARTNERS WITH AUTOMOTIVE JOBS ACTION COALITION OF 28 ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) joined regional elected officials and automotive leaders in a downtown rally this morning at the Gateway Mall, spotlighting the importance of the St. Louis region's auto industry. Hundreds of autoworkers, business and elected leaders urged federal lawmakers to protect jobs and consumer choice by supporting the bi-partisan federal legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. Baron Hill (D-IN) and Lee Terry (R-NE) to raise fuel economy in cars and trucks. "We at the RCGA are pleased to partner with the Automotive Jobs Action Coalition and its mission to help protect and expand auto manufacturing jobs throughout the nation," noted RCGA President and Chief Executive Officer Richard C.D. Fleming. This Coalition of 28 chambers of commerce throughout the country is working to promote reasonable standards for fuel economy nationwide. "It seems that we don't often hear good news concerning the nation's auto industry. Positive stories seem to have been drowned out over the past several years by the relentlessly downbeat headlines in the media. But the reality is more nuanced. Consumers are enjoying more choice than ever, while the market as a whole is working," Fleming added. "Despite recent challenges in the automotive industry here in our region, it is interesting to note that more than 14,000 St. Louis area workers are employed in auto-related manufacturing, and those 14,000 jobs support another 34,000 jobs throughout our 16-county, bi-state region. The total economic impact of the St. Louis region's auto and parts manufacturing sector is some $12 billion annually." "Success in the automotive industry requires having products ready for market that meet the highest standards of customer satisfaction in terms of cost, reliability, safety and design. Success also depends on having a well-trained, available work force. Here in our own bi-state market, we are seeing renewed interest in automotive production from an economic development standpoint, including significant economic development activity and inbound jobs in the automotive suppliers to our major auto assembly plants here. By these measures, the future is bright for the St. Louis region's auto manufacturing work force." "Sustaining a positive business climate for this advanced manufacturing sector of our regional economy is an essential component of our region's economic development strategy," Fleming concluded. Other speakers at the event included: U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO); Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder; U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO); St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley; Fenton Mayor Dennis Hancock; and Chuck Kowalski, St. Louis North Plant Manager, Chrysler Corp. Coalition members to date are: U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce; Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce; Delaware State Chamber of Commerce; Detroit Regional Chamber; Erie County Chamber of Commerce; Forward Janesville, Inc.; Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce; Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; Greater Louisville Inc.; Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce; Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce; Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce; Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Louisiana Association of Business & Industry; Macomb County Chamber of Commerce; Michigan Chamber of Commerce; Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Ohio Chamber of Commerce; Rockford Chamber of Commerce; South Carolina Chamber of Commerce; St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association; St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce; Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce; and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce. The RCGA is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the 16-county, bi-state St. Louis region. ### |
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