Raleigh, NC - U.S. Senator Kay Hagan and state leaders held a Jobs Summit today as part of Hagan's ongoing, statewide effort to gather ideas that will help boost employment and promote economic growth in North Carolina.

"Today's Job Summit reinforced that we must continue working together to put North Carolinians back to work," Hagan said. "I'll continue to put forth commonsense ideas - ideas that originate right here in North Carolina-that will garner bipartisan support in Washington. We can't wait until after an election to find solutions that will move our state forward."

Hagan, who will continue her Jobs Tour to solicit commonsense ideas from North Carolinians, led a discussion today that focused on four key economic areas:

· Expanding and rebuilding North Carolina's historic industries
· Filling available 21st-century jobs now
· Planning for the future with strategic investments
· Growing North Carolina's small businesses

"There is no more important issue in North Carolina today than jobs for our people," said Randolph County Economic Development Corporation President Bonnie Renfro, who participated in today's summit. "I salute Senator Hagan for her laser focus on how to grow the jobs of the future while helping our citizens be ready to succeed. It was great to have everyone here today because it takes a team effort to improve the employment picture in our state."

"This discussion is timely and critical to the economy in North Carolina and our nation," said Sam Houston, President and CEO of the North Carolina STEM Education Center. "Getting a job in the 21st Century economy is anchored by a quality educational experience. This discussion, related to STEM, is also timely because it leads to a deep partnership between business, industry and education. Our schools must understand the critical role they play in shaping the economy - if we produce great graduates they become productive members of society and the economy grows."

In addition to Renfro and Houston, Hagan was joined at the Jobs Summit by: Sepi Asefnia, owner of SEPI Engineering; Keith Crisco, North Carolina Secretary of Commerce; Lynn Douthett, District Director of the United States Small Business Administration; Billy Ray Hall, President of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center; Scott Ralls, President of the North Carolina Community College System; Roger Shackleford, Assistant Secretary for Workforce Solutions and North Carolina Commerce.

BACKGROUND

Hagan's North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour has taken her to small businesses, manufacturing plants, workforce development offices and community colleges around the state - as well as online for a Twitter town hall with constituents - to gather ideas and initiatives that will put North Carolina back to work. Today's Jobs Summit marked the 17th stop of the Jobs Tour.