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  Hare, backed by Rockford Republican, offers Arsenal plan
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Last Editedev  Apr 12, 2007 02:08pm
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News DateThursday, April 12, 2007 08:00:00 PM UTC0:0
DescriptionHare, backed by Rockford Republican, offers Arsenal plan

By Jenny Lee, jlee@qconline.com

ARSENAL ISLAND -- U.S. Reps. Phil Hare, D- Rock Island and Don Manzullo, R- Rockford, stood side by side Wednesday to announce a partnership that would help local manufacturers and bring more business to Arsenal Island.

After Rep. Hare and Rep. Manzullo took a tour of the Rock Island Arsenal, the pair discussed ways that the Arsenal could generate economic growth and prevent being closed in the future. Since the Rockford area became involved with titanium production, the Arsenal and other manufacturers could play a role as well, the congressmen said.

"We almost lost this facility and we don't want that to ever happen," said Rep. Hare, referring to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure process. He said he hopes titanium production would provide work for the Arsenal in times of war and peace.

Titanium can be used to fabricate armor and can also be used for commercial purposes, said Andy Rowe, Mr. Hare's economic development director. The Arsenal could do titanium casting for any materials that were provided by Rockford manufacturers.

Many Rockford area companies formed the Manufacturing Alliance of the Rock River Valley, pooling their abilities to apply for federal government contracts and finish those contracts. Normally, one manufacturing business wouldn't be able to handle such a contract on its own.

The Manufacturing Alliance of the Rock River Valley was instrumental in getting new titanium technologies, said Rep. Manzullo, who is co-chairman of the Congressional Manufacturing Caucus.

"Don has experience in forming a manufacturing consortium," Rep. Hare said. "I look to Don a lot. I'm just incredibly grateful."

Rep. Hare wants to form a similar group in the Quad-Cities with the help of the Rock Island Arsenal Development Group.

A small number of Quad-Cities manufacturers have tried it before but met with little success. In 2004, about 20
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