Investing in Manufacturing Communities

Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, recently announced the designation of twelve new Manufacturing Communities under the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) program. This Commerce Department-led program is designed to accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing in communities nationwide by supporting the development of long-term economic development strategies.

TechVision21 welcomes the announcement.  TechVision21’s President and CEO, Kelly Carnes, has often noted that America’s most prosperous regions are home to clusters of complementary companies that reinforce each others’ growth and attract from around the globe, creating a virtuous cycle of economic growth.   American competitiveness depends upon fostering communities like these across the country.

An interagency panel chose these twelve communities based on the strength of their economic development plans, the potential for impact in their communities, and the depths of their partnerships across the public and private sectors.

The 12 Manufacturing Communities include:

1. The Greater Pittsburgh Metals Manufacturing Community, led by Catalyst Connection in Pittsburgh, PA
2. The Alamo Manufacturing Partnership, led by the University of Texas at San Antonio in the San Antonio, TX metro area
3. The Louisiana Chemical Corridor, led by Louisiana State University, stretching from New Orleans, LA to Baton Rouge, LA
4. The Madison Regional Economic Partnership (MadREP) in the Madison, WI region
5. The Made in the Mid-South Manufacturing Alliance, led by the Greater Memphis Chamber spanning nine counties in surrounding Memphis, TN
6. The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council leading a five county region in central Illinois
7. The Minnesota Medical Manufacturing Partnership, led by GREATER MSP in Minneapolis, MN
8. The South Central Idaho region, led by the Region IV Development Association in Twin Falls, ID
9. The Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative, led by the University of Utah in the Wasatch Front region
10. The Pacific Northwest Partnership Region, led by Business Oregon in Oregon and Southwest Washington
11. The Connecticut Advanced Manufacturing Communities Region, a four county area centered on Hartford, Connecticut, is led by the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
12. The Central Valley AgPlus Food and Beverage Manufacturing Consortium led by California State University in Fresno

The twelve designated Manufacturing Communities will receive coordinated support for their strategies from eleven federal agencies with more than $1 billion available in federal economic development assistance.