WASHINGTON, DC (August 2, 2013) – Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics unveiled the July unemployment statistics, showing the economy gained 162,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 7.4 percent. The following is a statement from BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director David Foster:

“Today’s jobs report shows progress toward building a more prosperous economy and lays the track work for solid economic growth over the next year. President Obama’s plan to make investments in our manufacturing and infrastructure is the right approach and it will have a ripple effect that will create real momentum for economic growth, while addressing climate change. We need to make investments to keep our economy humming, create demand and help make sure every American who wants a job can have one.

“We can do that by renewing and repairing the systems that get us back and forth to work, supply our power, keep us safe from floods when storms rage, make sure we can call the police and fire during emergencies, and by investing in the institutions our children learn in. Addressing the existing weaknesses in our infrastructure in a way that recognizes the reality of climate change is an opportunity to create good jobs that we can’t afford to miss.”