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Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN) recently visited Everidge in Winnebago, Minnesota, to meet with company leadership and discuss the need for regulatory reform and workforce development initiatives to strengthen the manufacturing industry.

The visit: Everidge Winnebago Plant Manager Paul Meyer led the tour, highlighting how burdensome regulations are hindering manufacturers’ ability to grow and invest in their workforces. He emphasized Everidge’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce and explained how regulatory challenges often create barriers to hiring, training and expanding operations.

• “When manufacturers are weighed down by excessive regulations, it limits our ability to expand, innovate and create more jobs,” Meyer said. “Regulatory certainty is critical to ensuring we can continue making long-term investments in our people and our operations.”

The policy discussion: Rep. Finstad, a member of the House Committee on Small Business, reaffirmed his commitment to reducing regulatory barriers and advancing workforce development initiatives that help manufacturers remain competitive. He highlighted key priorities, including:

• Regulatory reform to ease the $350 billion annual compliance burden on manufacturers;
• Expanding workforce training programs to build a pipeline of highly skilled workers; and
• Maintaining a competitive tax code to ensure manufacturers can continue investing in their businesses.​

“We need a regulatory system that allows businesses to grow while ensuring reasonable oversight,” said Rep. Finstad. “Manufacturers like Everidge should be focused on hiring and innovation, not struggling with costly and duplicative regulations. It was a privilege to get a firsthand look at Everidge in Winnebago and talk with their team about ways we can overcome the regulatory and workforce challenges that impact many of our manufacturers across southern Minnesota.”

The last word: NAM Managing Vice President of Policy Charles Crain underscored the significant cost of regulatory compliance, particularly for small manufacturers.

• “Regulatory uncertainty makes it harder for manufacturers to plan for the future,” Crain said. “For small manufacturers, compliance costs can exceed $50,000 per employee per year, which limits their ability to invest in their workforce and expand operations. Policymakers must take steps to streamline regulations and ensure manufacturers can remain competitive both at home and globally.”

Get involved: Launched in 2023, the NAM-led Manufacturers for Sensible Regulations coalition—which comprises the NAM’s Council of Manufacturing Associations and Conference of State Manufacturers Associations—works to address the negative impact of overregulation by federal agencies. For more information, please contact [email protected].