Congressmen from South Carolina and Tennessee have formed the bipartisan Congressional Tire Caucus which, among other things, will highlight the tire industry's economic impact on the country.
U.S. Reps. Joe Wilson, R-S.C. and Jim Cooper, D-Tenn. both come from states heavily invested in the tire industry. According to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA), the caucus will focus on the economy, plus sustainability, safety and future mobility.
“Tire manufacturing is a vibrant and growing sector of America’s manufacturing industry,” says Wilson. “South Carolina is home to more tire manufacturing facilities than any other state. The industry has a total annual economic impact of $148.4 billion nationally, and more than $10.2 billion in South Carolina. I hope to emphasize the importance of this industry to thousands of South Carolinians and hundreds of thousands of Americans who depend on its success.”
Cooper says, “More than 33,000 Tennessee jobs are dependent on tire manufacturing and the industry directly supports jobs in every congressional district across the country. In addition to jobs and the economy, this industry is an important stakeholder on issues such as trade, America’s infrastructure, STEM careers, and safe mobility. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Congressional Tire Caucus to highlight these important issues and contributions.”
Anne Forristall Luke, CEO and president of the USTMA, says “As Congress prepares to consider several initiatives important to our industry, we are fortunate to have such esteemed distinguished co-chairs helping raise awareness for significant industry issues and legislative priorities. I’m eager to continue strengthening our competitiveness and furthering understanding of our manufacturers’ contributions to the economy and motorist safety with the bipartisan support of the Congressional Tire Caucus."
