Under the leadership of Della Ludwig, DEED Workforce Strategy Consultant and volunteer CMMA board member, plans are underway to highlight manufacturing in Central Minnesota during the entire month of October in honor of Minnesota Manufacturing Month!

Some three dozen interested parties from a 13-country region attended an informational “kick-off meeting” on May 18, 2021. The goal of the meeting was to build a strong “Central MN Manufacturing Month Planning Committee” made up of CMMA members/manufacturers, schools, and organizations interested in the success of manufacturing in the region. Non-CMMA members have been encouraged to participate as well.  
 
Here’s a glimpse of potential Central Minnesota Manufacturing Month activities; this isn’t even the entire list! 
1.     Governor Walz to proclaim “October as Manufacturing Month.” (In the past, the proclamation was for one week, not the entire month.)
2.     DEED Commissioner Steve Grove to provide a video expressing support for manufacturing.
3.     DEED Commissioner Grove to lead and moderate at least one Manufacturer Roundtable to discuss growth of the manufacturing industry and current workforce needs. 
4.     CMMA K12 Navigator challenge, encouraging manufacturers to register.  Goal: 40 manufacturers. (If your company isn’t registered – click the link TODAY; it’s easy!)
5.     CMMA Manufacturing CTE Jamboree at ROCORI High School on October 21. Spearheaded by CMMA board member Patrick Walsh, Superintendent at BBE Public Schools, this second annual event shares best practices on how schools, teachers, and businesses can develop student-focused career pathway opportunities. 
6.     Region-wide Tour of Manufacturing – public tours, student tours, virtual tours. 
7.     Manufacturing video library, including 3-D and 360 videos. 
8.     Outreach to K-12 Schools – Plan activities, such as introduction to VEX robotics, employer presentations, mobile STEM labs, parent/student myth-busting presentations, etc.
9.     CareerForce and Employer presentations to job seekers to raise awareness and assist in breaking down barriers in the manufacturing industry. 
10.  Rollout of Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE) program.
11.  Social media campaign – manufacturing success stories and myth busting. 

If you’d like to get involved or simply learn more about the activities planned in your community, please reach out to della.ludwig@state.mn.us or Sandy@MidwestManufacturers.com.
 
We look forward to working together to make Central Minnesota Manufacturing Month a success!