Staff at the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired work hard every day to help people live more independently. They also hope America will be more independent when it comes to manufacturing.

"We're trying to do our part, as small as it is, in a big sea of a lot of people doing a lot of good work," said CABVI President and CEO Ed Welsh.

What You Need To Know


  • Sen. Gillibrand toured manufacturing operations at CABVI in Utica

  • She wants $15 billion from government to fund workforce training infrastructure

  • Her hope is legislation will be included in next coronavirus relief package

But really, there's nothing small about the not-for-profit's work.

Welsh is proud of their manufacturing division, Central Industries.

"We sell tens of millions dollars worth of gloves to New York Health and Hospitals. We also supply all the gloves for TSA," he said.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is appreciative, too, and wishes for more American-based work.

"We don't want to be beholden to China for anything we need during a pandemic. We've really found that we have a lack in our supply chain for allowing America to buy American," she said.

She wants $15 billion of funding for workforce training infrastructure, and hopes the End Outsourcing Act is included in the next coronavirus relief package.

"We need to re-work the system so that companies are rewarded for bringing jobs back to America," said Gillibrand.

"It would shorten that supply chain a great deal so we can be more on-time with delivery," said Welsh. "Right now, we have to plan three months ahead. That's been difficult. In normal times, that's not easy, but under these circumstances, it's been challenging."

The End Outsourcing Act would prohibit outsourcing companies from using federal tax incentives, and offer a 20-percent tax credit for companies bringing jobs back to the U.S.