U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown wants to bring back America’s manufacturing sector by keeping it on the innovative edge.

Aiming to build on a pilot program launched in 2012 in Youngstown, Brown said he wants to create a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation to help American businesses out-innovate global competitors.

“Our workers are the most productive. Now we need to make them the most innovative. That’s why I’m calling for the creation of the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation. Every region, every state has a role to play in helping to maintain our innovative edge,” Brown said. “I’ve worked with small business and industry leaders and universities and research institutions on legislation to create the National Network. The National Network of Manufacturing Innovation will establish the U.S. as a leader in a range of next generation technologies and will capitalize on our investment in basic research and create thousands of high-paying, high-tech manufacturing jobs that are a part of the country and the whole country needs.”