The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday launched a national initiative to create 20 million jobs over the next 10 years. The “American Free Enterprise. Dream Big” campaign will focus on national advertising and grassroots efforts to encourage American entrepreneurship.
“We’re trying to get people to believe in the future and seize their own destiny,” said Thomas Donahue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “You have a dream, and you go do it.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched its Campaign for Free Enterprise to create 20 million new jobs over the next decade. (Diane Rusignola/MNS)
Although the campaign does not yet have targeted programs or a specified budget, organizers said their initial focus is to energize people about the idea of free enterprise. The Chamber said it will work with local government and member companies to help create an environment that makes it easier for the private sector to create jobs.
“Our principal purpose here is to make sure the environment is right for entrepreneurs,” said Thomas Bell, vice chairman of the U.S. Chamber.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 9.8 percent in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The “Dream Big” campaign aims to re-employ the unemployed and keep up with the growing U.S. population. Donahue said the Chamber will call on the nation to double its exports.
“We are the world’s largest exporter now,” he said. “Over the next five years if we double these exports, we believe we can create these jobs. Trade is our best ticket out of the recession into jobs.”
Although the campaign is not yet focused geographically on areas that need more job creation, Donahue said the campaign will attempt to break down by state moving forward.
“Twenty million is such a huge number,” he said. “But if you break it down by 50 states, with the help of the state chambers and the state governments and others, you’ll begin to have a more achievable set of numbers.”
U.S. Chamber president and CEO Thomas Donahue discussed the importance of energizing Americans about free enterprise. (Diane Rusignola/MNS)
Since different regions in the country have different industries, plans are to tailor the program accordingly.
“Go to the state [and] figure out what the industries are,” Donahue said. “Think about all of the service industries and support industries, and that’s where a lot of the jobs will come in.”
Donahue said the campaign will evolve over time and eventually delve into other issues and ideas about how to create jobs.
“It is a positive, long-term effort to remind and educate our citizens and its leaders that free enterprise built the greatest economy the world has ever known,” Donahue said.
“And it is free enterprise that can lead us back to prosperity and put America back to work.”