VOA慢速英语2015 “纽约制造”激励时装设计师

'Made in New York' Incentives² for Fashion Designers “纽约制造”激励时装设计师

Many of the world’s most respected designers create their fashions in New York City. Often those products are manufactured overseas to save money. Now, New York is providing economic incentives to increase manufacturing in the city and interest promising³ designers to work there.

In New York City, the fashion industry makes up more than five percent of the total workforce⁴. The industry also is responsible for nearly 18 billion dollars a year in retail⁵ sales.

Clothing wholesalers, manufacturers and designers have been operating in New York's clothing district since the 1880s.

Bill de Blasio is the city’s mayor. He says fashion designers and manufacturers are important to New York.

"Not only a functionally⁶ key sector⁷ of our economy, but one of the most iconic industries in this city. Something so deeply identified with the character and personality of New York City and we want to make sure it stays that way and, in fact, becomes stronger."

This year, the city will spend up to to 15 million dollars to persuade promising designers and manufacturers to create fashions locally. The financial assistance is offered through a program called Made in New York.

City officials say eligible⁸ businesses must sell at least 1,000 products every year. They also must design, cut, sew, put together and finish their fashions in New York.  

Sarah Carson is the founder⁹ of one such company, called Leota. She says she is looking forward to additional Made in New York production incentives.

"Getting that financing as a small business, as a growing business, is really key to expanding my business here, creating more jobs right here in New York and fueling the growth in the garment industry and fashion business in New York."

Leota was launched in New York four years ago. Since then, the business has grown. But Sarah Carson says manufacturing in New York has limitations. They include sky-high rental¹⁰ agreements for office space, an aging workforce and outdated¹¹ technology.

"We lack some of the technology that we need to do the complicated knitting techniques and laser cutting and some of the popular styles that people are buying right now. We can't make them here."

The Made in New York program provides help to factories that invest in technology and workforce development. To date, the city has approved more than a million dollars to eligible factories.

Kenny Hung owns a local factory where Leota designs are made. He operates the factory with his wife, Carmen. He says there is not enough fashion manufacturing work to keep their seamstresses busy all year long.

To help fix that, the city created an electronic system for connecting local designers with local production centers. Hopefully, that means more business for factories and skilled workers. In addition, Mr. Hung could be considered for financial assistance if he invests in better technology. That would position his factory as an even more appealing choice for New York-based designers.

From design, to manufacturing to final product, clothing made in New

York City is good for the local economy. It also makes sure that New

York will be a fashion center for years to come.

Words in This Story

incentive¹ – n. something that persuades a person to do something or to work harder

eligible – adj. able to be chosen for something

garment – n. a piece of clothing

seamstress – n. a woman who sews, puts together, clothing

1 incentive   

n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机

参考例句：

• Money is still a major incentive in most occupations.在许多职业中，钱仍是主要的鼓励因素。
• He hasn't much incentive to work hard.他没有努力工作的动机。

2 incentives   

激励某人做某事的事物( incentive的名词复数 )； 刺激； 诱因； 动机

参考例句：

• tax incentives to encourage savings 鼓励储蓄的税收措施
• Furthermore, subsidies provide incentives only for investments in equipment. 更有甚者，提供津贴仅是为鼓励增添设备的投资。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

3 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

4 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

5 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

6 functionally   

adv.机能上地，官能地

参考例句：

• Objective To explore occlusion reconstruction by computer aided design (CAD) with functionally-generated pathway (FGP). 目的探索借助功能性？记录(functionally-generated pathway,FGP)技术进行口腔固定修复体计算机辅助设计(Computer aided Design,CAD)生理性建？的方法。 来自互联网
• In this respect, the proceeding was functionally similar to a comparative licensing adjudication. 在这一点上，手续在作用上即类似于比较许可证发放的裁断。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

7 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

8 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

9 Founder   

n.创始者，缔造者

参考例句：

• He was extolled as the founder of their Florentine school.他被称颂为佛罗伦萨画派的鼻祖。
• According to the old tradition,Romulus was the founder of Rome.按照古老的传说，罗穆卢斯是古罗马的建国者。

10 rental   

n.租赁，出租，出租业

参考例句：

• The yearly rental of her house is 2400 yuan.她这房子年租金是2400元。
• We can organise car rental from Chicago O'Hare Airport.我们可以安排提供从芝加哥奥黑尔机场出发的租车服务。

11 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。