Local lawmakers aim to aid manufacturers

BRADENTON — A pair of Bradenton legislators have proposed a bill that would make it easier for manufacturing companies to expand facilities.

The legislators, Sen. Bill Galvano and Rep. Jim Boyd, call the bill the Manufacturing Competitiveness Act. It will authorize local governments to “establish a local manufacturing development program that provides for master development approval for certain sites.” It would also require the state Department of Economic Opportunity to develop a coordinated and consistent approval process of expansion projects.

The law, say the legislators, would essentially address one of the biggest complaints from manufacturers: It would streamline the expansion process locally and in the state. The bill will have to work its way through several committees, in both the House and the Senate, before it comes up for a full vote.