Coakley announces job creation plan, wins endorsement of prominent business leaders.

Massachusetts Attorney General and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Martha Coakley today unveiled her comprehensive plan to create jobs, encourage hiring and grow the economy.

According to a campaign press release, Coakley had met earlier in the day with business leaders for a wide-ranging discussion about the current state of the economy and to share ideas for innovative ways to promote job creation and economic recovery.

She won the endorsement of several high profile business community leaders, including Jack Connors, Jr., chairman emeritus and former CEO of Hill Holliday, Donna Cupelo, regional president for Verizon New England, Mass Retailer president Jon Hurst, Trish Karter, CEO of Dancing Deer Baking Co., former Federal Reserve Bank of Boston CEO Cathy Minehan, and Micho Spring
president of Weber Shandwick – New England. (Full list can be found here.)

“As Attorney General, I have worked to foster a positive business climate in Massachusetts that promotes economic development and job creation, and I know from experience that collaboration with the business community is key to reaching these goals,” Coakley said.  “I am honored to be endorsed by such an impressive group of business leaders, and I appreciate their thoughtful feedback and suggestions on my plan to grow jobs in Massachusetts.  As Senator, I look forward to an ongoing partnership with our business community as we work together to get our economy back on track.”

Coakley’s plan, “Getting America Back to Work: A Jobs Creation Plan,” outlines five specific proposals to create jobs and spur economic growth.  I haven't had time to read it yet, so I am using the bullet points from the press release.  You know the drill, I encourage you to read the full plan on your own (linked above).

--Supporting Traditional Industries and Public-Private Partnerships – Coakley calls for focusing on traditional local industries, such as local agriculture, health care, and biotech, ensuring that they have the support they need to thrive.  Her plan promotes public-private partnerships among these industries to boost the economy, in part by leveraging existing federal resources and programs to maximize the availability of growth funds for local businesses.

--Boosting Green Industries – Noting that the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries created more than nine million jobs in 2007, Coakley’s plan calls for significant investment in the research, development and implementation of green technology in order to provide high paying, quality jobs.  Coakley also calls for continued funding for the Green Jobs Act and other training resources to ensure that workers can succeed in green industries.

--Fostering Innovation – Stressing that innovation is key to economic recovery, Coakley’s plan calls for support of innovative start-ups in order to create jobs and contribute to long-term economic growth.  Coakley supports making the federal Research and Development Tax Credit permanent, and supports the creations of President Obama’s proposed Advanced Manufacturing Fund to identify and invest in the most compelling advanced manufacturing strategies.

--Training and Educating our Workers – Recognizing that as we develop new technologies and energy sources, our workers will require a new set of skills, Coakley’s plan calls for resources for training and education of workers though career and technical education, as well as postsecondary education and training provided through the national system of workforce investment programs.  She supports improvements to the Workforce Investment Act in order to meet the needs of the 21st century economy.

--Supporting Small Businesses – Coakley’s plan calls for targeted tax relief and loan opportunities for small businesses, as well as giving entrepreneurs the tools to hire and retain the most qualified workers.  She supports the bipartisan HIRE America Act, which will make permanent tax incentives for small businesses to hire new workers, and pledges to support minority and women-owned businesses.