Modern-Glass-Building

Government Taps 12 Communities as Manufacturing Hubs

May 30, 2014
The communities are part of an Administration-wide initiative that aims to link federal agencies with local governments to make them more competitive in attracting foreign manufacturers and their supply chains.

To “accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing and help cultivate an environment for businesses to create well-paying manufacturing jobs in regions across the country,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker on May 28 named the first 12 communities that will receive federal aid to attract global companies under the Obama administration's Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative.

IMCP, launched last September, is an Administration-wide initiative that aims to link federal agencies with local governments to make them more competitive in attracting foreign manufacturers and their supply chains.

“The IMCP is designed to reward communities that demonstrate best practices in attracting and expanding manufacturing by using long-term planning that integrates targeted investments in workforce training, infrastructure, research, and other key assets. “

The first 12 IMCP Manufacturing Communities are:

● Southwest Alabama

● Southern California

● Northwest Georgia

● The Chicago metro region

● South Kansas

● The Greater Portland region in Maine

● Southeastern Michigan

● The New York Finger Lakes region

● The Southwestern Ohio Aerospace region

● The Tennessee Valley

● The Washington Puget Sound region

● The Milwaukee 7 region

More on why these communities were designated as centers of manufacturing on IndustryWeek.

Industryweek is an NED companion site within Penton’s Manufacturing & Supply Chain Group.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor - MH&L, IW, & EHS Today

Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with Endeavor Business Media and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank.

She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics, EHS Today, and IndustryWeek. 

Editorial Mission Statement:

Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes, and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I Find Manufacturing Interesting: 

On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated, and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.