‘Tis the season when our congressmen visit their constituents, and business issues seem to be on their minds: On Thursday, Aug. 18, Rep. Heath Shuler will tour Kearfott Corporation’s Motion System Division in Black Mountain. Sen. Richard Burr was scheduled to visit Thermo Fisher Scientific in Asheville the same day, but canceled.
Kearfott Corporation is a subsidiary of Astronautics Corporation of Milwaukee, Wis. The company manufactures navigation and guidance systems and other equipment for military vehicles and aircraft. According to Shuler’s press notice, he will “discuss support for the Abrams M1 tank and C-17 program with Kearfott management and employees.”
Thermo Fisher is the world leader in serving science and employs more than 500 people. Approximately 25 percent of their revenue comes from government and academic institutions, according to Sen. Burr’s press release. Company representatives will “demonstrate the importance of [their] mission, which is to enable [their] customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.”
See the full releases below.
FROM REP. SHULER:
On Thursday U.S. Representative Heath Shuler will visit Kearfott Corporation’s Motion Systems Division facilities in Black Mountain. Rep. Shuler will tour the facilities and discuss support for the Abrams M1 tank and the C-17 program with Kearfott management and employees. Kearfott Corporation is a subsidiary of Astronautics Corporation of Milwaukee, WI. The company currently manufactures navigation and guidance systems and other equipment for military vehicles and aircraft.
FROM SEN. BURR: Visit canceled
On Thursday afternoon, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) will tour the Thermo Fisher Scientific facility in Asheville. The site manufactures freezers for laboratories and other laboratory equipment, including centrifuges. The plant currently employs over 500 people and continued growth is expected. Additionally, the plant was recently recognized for its Zero Landfill Initiative. The facility’s goal is to pinpoint reduction opportunities and become landfill-free by 2015, without adding costs. Thermo Fisher is the world leader in serving science. Approximately 25 percent of our revenue comes from government and academic institutions. The uncertainty over government funded research through the National Institutes for Health and other government streams is a concern for many businesses in North Carolina. Senator Burr has offered strong support for life sciences research funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), noting that “[the NIH] offers our best hope for treating or curing debilitating diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and so many other illnesses that American families battle every day. It is also our best hope for containing the increasing health care costs associated with the aging of the Baby Boomer generation.” During the visit, representatives from Thermo Fisher will demonstrate the importance of our mission which is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. You are invited to join us as we provide Sen. Burr with a first-hand look at the operations and employees that make this success possible.
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