WASHINGTON – The National Association of Manufacturers today issued a strong statement in support of the Obama administration’s latest growth initiatives.

The President’s Jobs Council has recommended five major initiatives to facilitate corporate expansion, upgrade infrastructure and cut government red tape. Government policies have come under fire for hindering job growth and prolonging the economic recession.

NAM said it would support efforts to improve the communications between government and businesses, and applauded the policy shifts proposed by the Jobs Council.

In a statement NAM president and CEO Jay Timmons said, “Manufacturers wake up each day focused on finding opportunities to grow, create jobs and thrive in the global marketplace. Unfortunately, irresponsible policies have chipped away at our competitive edge, and it is now 20% more expensive to do business in the US. The President’s Jobs Council, led by Jeff Immelt, has taken a hard look at this environment and targeted a number of pro-growth initiatives to get our economy back on track and people back to work."