NORWICH – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) toured Unison Industries Tuesday shortly after unveiling her “Made in America” Block Grant Program Act.

The goal of the “Made in America” act is to restructure small- and medium-sized manufacturers in areas of high unemployment. “How are we going to support ... manufacturers’ vision for long-term growth?” Gillibrand queried at the end of her visit. While New York state lost more than 123,000 manufacturing jobs from 2005 to 2010, Gillibrand says advanced and high-tech manufacturing is thriving here.

Gillibrand’s plan offers more support for manufacturers specializing in clean energy technology, and leverages more private investment into New York’s manufacturing hubs.

Her tour through the 160,000 sq. ft. Rt. 12 Norwich facility included demonstrations of the manufacturing process as well as descriptions of the company’s local outreach efforts.

According to Product Line Manager Mike Weaver, the Senator scheduled her visit in order to learn more about Unison’s continuing employment growth. The Norwich facility, a division of General Electric Aviation, announced last August that it would be creating between 50 and 75 jobs this year. “Quite frankly, we’re there,” said Weaver about the new jobs.