We have a wrap on Manufacturing Month 2024!
 
We had 21 organizations and 11 sponsors participate in Central Minnesota’s virtual magazine, which highlights in-person and virtual tours offered during the month of October and throughout the year. The magazine received 44,000 pageviews by 3,562 visitors.
 
All funds raised by the magazine are used to market manufacturing month and career opportunities in manufacturing through radio ads, geo-targeted advertising which created 180,000 impressions, social media marketing which created 106,000 impressions, as well as 3,600 page views on the CMMA website. The magazine also helped fund bussing grants to area schools who attended tours.
 
We also had several events throughout the region, including Chisago County who did a Career Exploration Day for all the schools in their county. ISD 728 students participated in the Cool Jobs Tours in Elk River and Rogers for parents and students to learn about manufacturing companies in their community and the skills needed to qualify for these career opportunities. Ridgewater College in Willmar and Hutchinson offered tours of their colleges to attract student interest. Many chambers, communities and businesses also offered special tours, luncheons, and activities to their employees, their families, and to the public during Manufacturing Month. Felling Trailers in Sauk Centre also hosted the CMMA membership meeting in October, which had over 80 people in attendance.    
 
Bellmont Partners of Minneapolis, a public relations firm, provided pro bono publicity for the Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing which resulted in articles in the St. Cloud Times, MN News Network, Cold Spring Record, Monticello Times, Morrison County Record, Elk River Star News, 103.7 the Loon, KDHL radio, KRFO radio, Power96 radio, river967, WJON, and the Bellmont Brothers blog.  Huge thank you to Bellmont Partners for their assistance!
 
Governor Tim Walz proclaimed October as Manufacturing Month because manufacturing is the backbone of Minnesota’s economy by stating:

• The manufacturing industry is a critically important part of Minnesota’s diverse economy, contributing $57.2 billion (12%) to the state’s economy in 2023 - and making a wide range of products to improve the lives of people around the world - from medical devices to food to recreational vehicles and everything in between.
• Manufacturing workers took home $25.7 billion in wages from Minnesota manufacturing jobs last year with workers making an average annual wage of just under $79,000, which is 10% higher than the state’s overall average private sector wage.
• There is a big demand for people to work in manufacturing positions in Minnesota, now and into the future - making it a strong career path choice. In fact, Minnesota expects more than 93,000 job openings for manufacturing production positions through 2032.

 
Additional resources can be found on CareerForce.

Plans are already underway for the Central Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing in 2025! Make plans to participate and help educate potential employees about careers in manufacturing and dispel incorrect perceptions of modern manufacturing. Contact Lynda@MidwestManufacturers.com if you’d like to be involved!