Congresswoman Torres Holds Her Annual “Made in the 35th” Manufacturing Tour
Pomona, CA – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) highlighted local manufacturers as a part of her annual “Made in the 35th” tour this week, spotlighting how these businesses strengthen the Inland Empire’s economy and raising awareness of the challenges facing the local manufacturing sector. The tour included visits to companies in Pomona, Chino, Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Fontana, and featured businesses specializing in fields ranging from construction to biotechnology.
“America’s manufacturing sector runs through the Inland Empire, and the goods we make here in California’s 35th District are used across the globe,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Supporting local manufacturers keeps our local, state, and national economies strong. With my Made in the 35th tour, I’m excited to have the opportunity to spotlight the businesses that create good-paying jobs, provide for our communities, and help our region thrive.
Torres visiting Nucor’s steel mill in Fontana
California is the number-one state for manufacturing and technology in the United States. San Bernardino County alone is currently home to over 3,700 manufacturers, and the county’s manufacturing sector continues to expand. Congresswoman Torres' tour included visits to:
- Nucor Corporation in Fontana, which operates the last steel mill in Southern California.
- Howmet Aerospace in Rancho Cucamonga, which builds mission-critical components for commercial and military F-35 jets.
- Chaffey College InTech Center in Fontana, which partners with local manufacturers to train and provide workforce development in trade industries.
Torres greeting an employee at Amcor in Chino, a global leader in packaging solutions
As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee – which oversees all federal funding – Congresswoman Torres supports economic development in the Inland Empire by leveraging the federal appropriations process. Through her work on the Committee, the Congresswoman has increased funding for apprenticeship grants and Career and Technical Education State Grants, supporting small manufacturers and expanding pathways to good-paying jobs.
Torres learning about AQMC’s local air quality manufacturing operations in Ontario
The Congresswoman is also working closely with the Biden-Harris Administration to implement the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, which includes her bill to establish a centralized national Supply Chain Database. The database will be managed by the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Congresswoman Torres has supported increased funding for the program so that manufacturers have the necessary tools to adequately respond to a future national emergency. The MEP National Network provides American manufacturers in every state and Puerto Rico with access to resources needed to thrive in the global economy.
Torres touring the InTech Center in Fontana, a hub for workforce training
To conclude her Made in the 35th tour, the Congresswoman is participating in a roundtable with local manufacturers hosted by the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce.