Timmons (right) speaks with attendees at an event at the University of South Florida in Tampa.
Photo: Dave Bohrer, NAM

National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons is touring the country to highlight what the industry is doing to help the U.S. economy.

Timmons will visit New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas and Maryland as part of the 2016 State of Manufacturing Tour, which launched Jan. 28 with a visit to Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. The CEO plans to meet with students, workers, business leaders and elected officials during the roughly week-long tour.

"Our industry is about the men and women who make things in America; it's about their creativity and the potential we can unleash," Timmons said. "Now is the time to embrace a manufacturing resurgence to protect and promote American Exceptionalism."

Manufacturing supports 18.5 million jobs in the U.S. and contributes $2.17 trillion to the economy, according to NAM. The association wants manufacturing issues to take center stage this election year.

"We want voters to see what solutions a candidate who truly supports manufacturing and is focused on growth will embrace," Timmons said.

Last year Timmons visited Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Washington state, Colorado, Texas and Alabama as part of his tour. http://bit.ly/1TrFYeb

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