Rep. Cleaver Convenes Manufacturing Roundtable to Strengthen Workforce, Supply Chains, and Regional Competitiveness

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) joined Kansas City-area business leaders and industry stakeholders for a manufacturing roundtable to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Missouri companies and identify strategies to strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness. This discussion comes amid continued instability in the nation’s manufacturing sector following the implementation of illegal tariff policies that have increased costs for small businesses, disrupted supply chains, and contributed to the loss of roughly 100,000 manufacturing jobs nationwide over the past year. Ongoing economic uncertainty and dysfunction emanating from the White House has made it increasingly difficult for manufacturers in Missouri and across the country to confidently plan and grow.

Hosted in partnership with Missouri Enterprise, the discussion brought together manufacturing leaders to examine workforce shortages, supply chain resilience, infrastructure investment, utility costs, automation and artificial intelligence adoption, and the long-term future of advanced manufacturing in the Kansas City region.

“Manufacturing built the middle class in communities like Kansas City, and it remains essential to our region’s economic future,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Today’s conversation made clear that if we want American manufacturing to continue growing and competing globally, we must invest in workers, modern infrastructure, workforce pipelines, and domestic supply chains. Those investments don’t just impact factory floors, they directly affect farmers, producers, and surrounding rural communities that rely on strong manufacturing and transportation networks to move products, control costs, and stay competitive. We cannot afford to leave small and mid-sized manufacturers behind as technology and global competition continue to evolve.”

During the discussion, participants highlighted ongoing labor shortages, rising utility and operating costs, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships to support workforce development and industrial growth. Participants also discussed the importance of maintaining reliable infrastructure and ensuring manufacturers already operating in the region are not disadvantaged by growing demands on energy and water resources.

Rep. Cleaver emphasized the importance of continued federal investment in domestic manufacturing, infrastructure modernization, and workforce development programs that create pathways to good-paying jobs without requiring a traditional four-year degree.

“The people building, welding, designing, transporting, and producing goods in our communities deserve policies that match the realities of today’s economy. That means listening directly to employers and workers, supporting innovation, and making sure federal policy helps create opportunity right here at home,” said Congressman Cleaver.

Photos from today’s event can be found here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.