(NAM: Washington) -- As U.S. manufacturers struggle to recover from the recession, a new report finds that manufacturing fuels economic prosperity but requires pro-growth policies to create jobs and remain globally competitive. The report released by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA) was written by economists Joel Popkin and Kathryn Kobe, noted experts on issues related to prices, wages, productivity, and technology.

“Policymakers must recognize that a vibrant manufacturing sector is important to our nation’s economic recovery and long-term growth and prosperity,” says Lori Anderson, chair of the CMA and president and CEO of the International Sign Association. “Manufacturing generates more economic activity per dollar of production than any other business sector in the country. Manufacturing industries perform almost two-thirds of the private sector research and development (R&D), driving America’s leading edge in innovation and breakthrough technologies. But manufacturers in America face serious challenges that threaten to undermine their contributions to U.S. prosperity.”

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