MARYLAND SELECTED FOR POLICY ACADEMY FOCUSED ON GROWING MANUFACTURERS
BALTIMORE, MD (August 19, 2019) – The state of Maryland has been selected to participate in the Policy Academy on Strengthening Your State’s Manufacturers, a unique program that fosters collaboration with other states and key partners to help strengthen the manufacturing industry. Maryland will join nine other states from across the country over the next year for a series of meetings in Washington, D.C. and in their home states to build on existing strategies, share best practices, and spur new ideas on how to address manufacturer challenges and opportunities. Representatives from the Maryland Department of Commerce, the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and two local manufacturing companies – Arnold Packaging and The Whalen Company – are meeting in Washington, D.C. this week for the Academy’s kickoff meeting.
“Maryland has made significant investments in policies, legislation, and programs to support our manufacturers, and our selection into this unique group will help us further accelerate growth in this important industry,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Through innovative programs like More Jobs for Marylanders, we have helped our manufacturers expand and add jobs, and attracted new manufacturing companies to the state, which has given Maryland a competitive edge in the industry.”
The Academy is organized by the State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI) and the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.
“One of the key goals that Maryland Commerce has in participating in this Academy is to look at how we can best address workforce shortages for manufactures, and also better understand how manufacturing is changing and how we can connect our companies with the most effective resources and programs to help them adapt,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.
“The Maryland MEP is excited about the opportunity to work with the Maryland Department of Commerce and participate in the Manufacturing Policy Academy,” said Mike Kelleher, Maryland MEP director. “It is important to the state and we feel that this program will be a great way to better align resources to meet the needs of Maryland’s manufacturing stakeholders.
An advisory team of stakeholders and industry representatives will be formed to help guide this initiative and provide feedback on recommendations.
About Maryland Commerce
The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the Arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.
