LAKEWOOD, CO – U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) visited local businesses this week to see firsthand the technological innovations happening locally in advanced and precision manufacturing and medical and energy sectors. Each year, Rep. Perlmutter holds roundtables and visits with a variety of businesses from across the district to learn about their day-to-day operations, better understand the local business climate, and determine how federal regulations and legislation impact local businesses.
“It is always helpful to visit local businesses and better understand their day-to-day operations and challenges,” said 
Rep. Perlmutter. “These four businesses are particularly inspiring because they are truly helping to change the world with their technological advancements in the energy, defense, aerospace and medical fields. These businesses are playing a big role in the economic development and growth of our community and making the 7th Congressional District a great place to live, work and play.”
The Innovation Tour started with Primus Wind Power, one of the top contract manufacturing companies in the Rocky Mountain region based in Lakewood. Primus delivers off-grid wind systems that are used for a variety of situations including oil and gas, research and humanitarian aid. The second tour was Arvada-based, woman-owned Faustson Tool, a worldwide leader in five-axis manufacturing technology. Faustson offers the precision needed to manufacture the most challenging applications known to the machining industry which enables them to specialize and service the aerospace, aeronautics, defense, energy, medical and semiconductor 
industries.
The second day of tours included Terumo BCT, a global leader in blood component and cellular technologies and the biggest medical device employer in Colorado. Terumo plays a vital role in helping hospitals and blood banks safely gather, store, and track donated blood including a new technology to help improve the safety of blood transfusions without the use of toxins. The Innovation Tour wrapped up with a visit to local Westminster-based startup, Surefire Medical, in advance of Startup Day Across America on August 19th. Surefire Medical has developed an innovative infusion systems for the interventional radiology and interventional oncology markets. Through a unique microcatheter with an expandable tip, Surefire’s technology is designed to precisely deliver embolic agents in order to increase targeted delivery, minimize reflux and reduce damage to healthy tissue.
Each of these businesses also represents a commitment to ‘Make It In America’ which focuses on creating high-wage, private-sector jobs for more individuals and families in the U.S. The bipartisan plan calls for additional investments in innovation and research, creating connections between educators and employers, expanding America’s manufacturing sector quickly and sustainably, and rebuilding infrastructure to move goods to market more efficiently.
“I firmly believe if we ‘Make It In America’, we will make it in America,” continued Perlmutter. “We need to continue to support these ‘Make It In America’ businesses with funding for research and innovation and workforce development programs to ensure they are able to find high-quality employees and continue to grow their operations in the U.S.”
In addition, as a member of the New Democrat Coalition, Rep. Perlmutter is part of a working group crafting recommendations for high-quality workforce development initiatives. In particular, the group focuses on how to better align local needs with workforce training and how to create comprehensive career services programs that provide workers with in-demand skills necessary for 21st century employment. The group plans to meet with stakeholders in labor, industry, education, and workforce development to develop common-sense policy recommendations to build on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and strengthen the United States’ workforce training system.
As a long-time advocate for business, Rep. Perlmutter has been involved in the JOBS Act, crowdfunding and the Export-Import Bank which helps small businesses in the 7th Congressional District export to overseas markets to increase sales. Rep. Perlmutter also helped establish the new USPTO satellite office in Denver which helps local businesses obtain patents for new products.