ICYMI: Startup Act 2.0 endorsed by News Journal

The News Journal: In a Sunday editorial, the News Journal wrote about the importance of the Startup Act 2.0. Introduced last week by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), this legislation will  help  jumpstart the economy through the creation and growth of new businesses and jobs.

It is based upon research showing that for close to three decades, companies less than five years old have created almost all of the net new jobs in America, averaging about three million new jobs each year.

Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware was joined by fellow Democrat Mark Warner of Virginia and Republicans Jerry Moran of Kansas and Marco Rubio of Florida in proposing “Startup Act 2.0.” The “2.0” means it’s an updated version of an earlier Moran-Warner proposal.

Startup 2.0 would do several important and smart things. First, it would create “STEM visas” for foreign students to come here to earn graduate degrees in science and math. It also would create “entrepreneur visas” for legal immigrants who start businesses.

Click here to learn more about the bill.

Infographic: Startup Act 2.0 by the numbers

Senator Coons is teaming up with Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Ka.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) to introduce the Startup Act 2.0 — a bill that builds upon the bipartisan AGREE Act and the bipartisan Startup Act to help entrepreneurs create jobs in the U.S. Check out this infographic below for  why Congress should pass the Startup Act 2.0. Click on the image to see it bigger.

Bloom Energy breaks ground in Newark

NEWARK — Senator Coons was on hand to commemorate the ground-breaking of Bloom Energy's new manufacturing facility on the grounds of the old Chrysler plant in Newark Monday morning -- an important moment for the Delaware's economic future.

"When we think about the threads that will keep America competitive in the global economy for the next generation, we think of innovation, entrepreneurship, clean energy and manufacturing - and all of those are coming together today here in Delaware," Senator Coons said. "In building its East Coast facility here in Newark, Bloom isn't just investing in its own cutting-edge technology - Bloom is investing in Delaware's communities, our families, and our future. This is a wonderful day for Delaware, and is a day made possible because of what Delaware brings to the table: a talented workforce, a welcoming business climate, and the tremendous leadership of folks like Governor Markell, Secretary O'Mara and DEDO Director Levin. I am proud to welcome Bloom Energy to Delaware today, and look forward to a long, fruitful relationship."

New site connects veterans with employment

Nearly a year ago, Senator Coons stood outside the U.S. Capitol with Senators Patty Murray, Jon Tester, and Mark Begich to announce the introduction of the Hiring Heroes Act. The prospects for their legislation promoting employment for veterans seemed dark, since only ten bills had been signed by the President at the time, and only one of those was not naming a courthouse or a temporary extension to keep federal agencies running.

But the challenges facing veterans were worth fighting against, including high unemployment and a daunting transition to civilian life. Chris and his colleagues were committed to making progress, and with the help of veterans themselves, their bill garnered 40 bipartisan cosponsors. Eventually, the bill became the centerpiece of President Obama’s VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which was signed into law on November 21, 2011.

Last week, a tangible result of those efforts went live for service members and veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new website to guide veterans through job-related benefits available under the law. For service veterans, it includes an easy-to-read guide to the additional Vocational and Rehabilitation and Employment Benefits now available for service-connected disabled veterans, as well as the additional benefits under the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program to help veterans find work in high-demand jobs. For transitioning service members, it has a section on a number of newly or more widely available benefits for seamless transition from duty to civilian life. And for employers, it provides resources on how to access the tax credits and other incentives provided if they hire veterans.

There’s still a long way to go in fulfilling the commitment we made to our veterans, particularly in the area of processing their benefits claims. But we’ve already made progress from last May, and Chris is committed to making more in the year ahead.

JP Morgan Chase to add 1,200 jobs in Delaware

WILMINGTON — Governor Markell announced on Friday that JP Morgan Chase was going to expand its operations in Delaware, adding 1,200 jobs here over the next 20 months.

"It's exciting news, for sure," Senator Coons said. "The reality is, Delaware has a unique and highly skilled workforce that makes it a natural fit when companies like Chase are looking to grow. Like Citi and Bank of America, Chase is choosing to grow in Delaware because of the talent we have here and because, frankly, as a state, we want their business. We want companies like Chase to grow here — to create jobs here — and have worked hard to nurture an economic climate that makes it possible."

The jobs, which are expected to pay in the ballpark of $76,000 per year, will be across several of Chase's verticals, including Treasury & Securities Services, Investment Banking, Asset and Wealth Management, Card Services, Corporate Technology, and more.

"This is exciting news, and I congratulate Governor Markell and Director Levin on making it happen and bringing these jobs to Delaware," Senator Coons said.

Read more here in the News Journal.

Senator Coons to host free job skills workshop with the Goodwill Job Resource Center

As part of his ongoing effort to help get more Delawareans back to work, Senator Chris Coons, in partnership with the Goodwill Job Resource Center, will host a workshop for job seekers this Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.  Those looking to hone their job-search skills, learn the art of networking, fine-tune their resumes, and master the interviewing process are invited to attend the free workshop at the Goodwill Job Resource Center in Wilmington.

This event is one in a series of workshops Senator Coons is hosting to help Delawareans get back to work. Representatives from the Goodwill Job Resource Center will be on hand to explain the services they offer to job seekers.  Businessman, author and motivational speaker Tony Casale will also discuss topics from his book, Still Standing: One Man’s Story of Transforming Failure into Success (and how you can do it, too).  The workshop was developed in response to feedback received at job fairs hosted by Senator Coons and the rest of the Congressional delegation.

 WHEN:

Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

 WHERE:

Goodwill Job Resource Center

300 E. Lea Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802

Senator Coons and Wilmington U. to host job fair for local veterans

U.S. Senator Chris Coons and Wilmington University announced on Monday the details of Operation Success: Welcome Home — a job fair for veterans set for Saturday, April 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Wilmington University in the auditorium of the Doberstein Admissions Center in New Castle.  The event will convene employers ready to hire talented men and women who have proven leadership and technical skills gained in their military service. Veterans are encouraged to register online at www.opsuccess.com. This is one of several job fairs Chris is hosting in the upcoming months to help Delawareans find jobs.

“The men and women who serve in our armed forces come home with unique skills and tested leadership experience, bringing immense value to the employers who hire them,” Chris said. “In talking with veterans, military leaders, business leaders, and government officials — as well as with business owners — it became clear that one of the best things we could do was simply to create opportunities for these employers to meet these talented Americans. I am pleased to partner with Wilmington University for Operation Success: Welcome Home to put our veterans in the same room with employers ready to help them return to the civilian workforce.”

Operation Success: Welcome Home attendees will have the opportunity to speak with federal and private sector organizations and companies that currently have positions available for veterans. The April 21st event will also provide veterans with other information on topics including: education benefits, support for military children, healthcare and mental health resources, family services, and spousal support and employment.

For more information on Operation Success: Welcome Home visit www.opsuccess.com.

In August 2011, Chris convened a panel of Delaware’s top experts on veterans to discuss ideas for boosting hiring.  In May 2011, Chris introduced the Hire America’s Heroes Act, which addressed many of the issues America’s veterans face as they re-enter the civilian workforce.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to support veterans.

Click here to learn more about the other Delaware job fairs Chris is hosting in the upcoming months. 

Video: Senators Coons, Durbin, Boozman introduce bill to increase U.S. exports to Africa

Senators Chris Coons, Dick Durbin, and John Boozman spoke on the Senate floor about legislation they introduced that would create American jobs by dramatically increasing the number of U.S. exports to Africa. 

The Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2012 also aims to improve America's economic competiveness throughout the continent by forcing better coordination between U.S. government agencies and departments, establishing comprehensive strategic goals, and marshaling private investments to improve U.S.-Africa business activities. Six of the world's ten fastest-growing economies over the last decade are in Africa, creating extraordinary opportunity for American manufacturers.

Video: Senators Coons, Begich urge House to pass highways bill

U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Mark Begich spoke on the Senate floor about the critical need for the U.S. House of Representatives to vote on the Senate highway bill - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (S. 1813), which passed the Senate earlier this month.

Senator Coons to host free job skills workshop with the Goodwill Job Resource Center

As part of his ongoing effort to help get more Delawareans back to work, Senator Chris Coons, in partnership with the Goodwill Job Resource Center, will host a workshop for job seekers on Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.  Those looking to hone their job-search skills, learn the art of networking, fine-tune their resumes, and master the interviewing process are invited to attend the free workshop at the Goodwill Job Resource Center in Wilmington.

This event is one in a series of workshops Senator Coons is hosting to help Delawareans get back to work. Representatives from the Goodwill Job Resource Center will be on hand to explain the services they offer to job seekers.  Businessman, author and motivational speaker Tony Casale will also discuss topics from his book, Still Standing: One Man’s Story of Transforming Failure into Success (and how you can do it, too).  The workshop was developed in response to feedback received at job fairs hosted by Senator Coons and the rest of the Congressional delegation.

WHO:

Senator Chris Coons

Representatives from the Goodwill Job Resource Center

Tony Casale – businessman, author and motivational speaker

WHAT:

Job Skills Workshop

WHEN:

Thursday, April 5, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Goodwill Job Resource Center

300 E. Lea Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802