Investing in New Jersey’s manufacturing future makes sense, Assemblyman Inganamort says
NEW JERSEY – Now is the time to invest in New Jersey’s manufacturing sector, not slash funding to programs critical for training future workers, said Assemblyman Michael Inganamort.
At a time when the federal government is shifting focus to bring such jobs back to the United States, the governor in his proposed budget is eliminating all state funding for the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program and again requesting $20 million in funding cuts to community colleges, which partner with manufacturers to create career pipelines for students, Inganamort said.
Inganamort, a member of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, and NJMEP recently hosted a roundtable discussion with manufacturers in his district about their needs and challenges to create an economic powerhouse in the face of cuts from Trenton. The roundtable, which took place at Sussex County Community College, included manufacturers from across northwest New Jersey.
“Today there are 35,000 unfilled manufacturing jobs in New Jersey and 462,000 nationwide and conservative estimates put that figure at 2.1 million nationally by 2030,” Inganamort (R-Morris) said. “If we want to bring more manufacturing jobs back to America via our trade policies, we need to work on filling the existing unfilled jobs and train people for those jobs. Investing in our workforce development pipeline, such as NJMEP and our 18 county colleges makes it possible.”
Instead, the governor cut half-a-million dollars from the NJMEP to $2 million last year, and in his proposal for 2026 cuts that funding entirely. He sought to cut $20 million in funding for the state’s 18 community colleges last year—that funding was ultimately restored—but is again seeking $20 million in cuts for 2026. Inganamort criticized those cuts last year and is again calling for the governor to reverse course, Inganamort said.
“From detonators to optics, there is so much advanced technology coming out of Northwest New Jersey. As a member of the Legislative Manufacturing Caucus, I’m working to make sure state government supports these innovators, and that includes supporting the talent pipeline and reducing their tax and regulatory burdens,” Inganamort added. “Investing in the education of future workers and creating a tax-friendly climate for companies just makes sense.”
Anthony Clarke, vice president of operations at Cartridge Actuated Devices, praised the assemblyman’s proactive relationship with both educators and manufacturers.
“The last three years of CAD’s growth are directly linked to the support of Assemblyman Inganamort’s office and programs and training provided through NJMEP. CAD’s mission to manufacture goods in New Jersey to support our war fighter would not be possible with this partnership,” Clarke said.
Peter Connolly, CEO of NJMEP, agreed.
“Assemblyman Inganamort is standing up for manufacturers at a time when it’s needed most. The proposed budget cuts would hit the heart of our workforce pipeline—right when reshoring and domestic production are gaining momentum. NJMEP was proud to partner on this roundtable, and we applaud the Assemblyman’s push to protect the future of New Jersey manufacturing through smart, targeted investment in people and programs,” Connolly said.
