STEM Manufacturing & Education Forum
On May 31 at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando, FL from 12:30 - 6:00 p.m. manufacturers and educators will convene to reset the course for manufacturing education in Florida and share best practices. If you care at all about building a strong skilled and certified manufacturing workforce in Florida, you will want to be at this event! A description, agenda and registration form can be found here. You may register online for this forum, a 1.5 day manufacturing track, or the entire Florida Sterling Council conference at www.floridasterling.com
Governor Signs Tax Cut Bill at MAF President’s Manufacturing Facility on April 5
Manufacturing Pipeline
Connect your manufacturing jobs with veterans through the Manufacturing PIpeline www.usmanufacturingpipeline.com. They do the leg work, you just post your job. Veterans are screened for the match between their military job description and your job description, as well as geographic locations. Try it out! This pilot project is brought to you by the Manufacturing Institute and the MAF Center for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence, Inc.
Scholarships for Exporting
Scholarships are available to assist qualified manufacturing small businesses in Florida who are "new to export" identify growth strategies through the development of customized Export Marketing Plans. A Florida SBDC Certified Business Analyst till meet with you to conduct a confidential, in-depth business assessment. This analyst will prepare and provide your company with a customized Export Marketing Plan.
To be eligible: Company must have a goal for growth, minimum of 3 years in business, 5 or more full time employees and $500,00 to $3 million in annual sales. Cost to qualifying company is $500; Value of scholarship is $2,500. They are going fast so don't delay.
This is brought to you by Enterprise Florida, Florida Small Business Development Center, U.S. Commercial Service, The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association of Florida. For more information contact Small Business Centers in:
Jacksonville 904.620.2476
Orlando 407.420.4850
Tampa 813.905.5800
Manufacturers' Resource Guide
MAF has established a manufacturers online resource guide for Florida manufacturers. Members of MAF and its regional manufacturing associations automatically become part of a Florida online manufacturers resource guide. All Florida manufacturers are encouraged to participate, but members will get a listing free. All you have to do is drop a line to nancy@mafmfg.com with the Subject: Resource Guide and we will get you enrolled.. This will help Florida manufacturers do business closer to home and allow manufacturers all over the world to find Florida manufacturers. Low Interest Loans for Equipment Available
Manufacturers who need financing to purchase new or used equipment can turn to the SBA "504" loan program and take advantage of historically low rates on its 10-year equipment loan. The interest rate is 4.15% for financing up to $4 million. These loans are paired with private sector commercial loans to support manufacturing projects of up to $20 million. For more info, check www.ffcfc.com.
Certification for Manufacturing Employees
Many manufacturers in Florida are seeking skilled workers who are ready to start work with the knowledge and skills necessary to bring results right away. If you are an advanced manufacturing employer, please consider adding the MSSC Certified Production Technician certification as a preferred condition of employment or promotion. For more details check the Workforce page on this site. For even more information on how to qualify employees for this certification, visit www.banner-mfg.org or contact@banner-mfg.org or 863.297.1010 x4079.
Prepare to Export
Manufacturers in Florida are encouraged to register in the Florida Export Directory. Go to www.FloridaExportDirectory.com to register.
MAF Center for Advanced Manufacturing Excellence
MAF has established a 501c3 educational charitable organization to promote manufacturing education and careers. All donations are tax deductible.
The Center has engaged in placing veterans in manufacturing jobs, implementing the national Dream It Do It campaign in Florida, working with educational institutions to offer more manufacturing related education and certifications, and working with partners to bring about change so manufacturing jobs can be filled with qualified people. If you are interested in being a founding member of the Board of Trustees, please drop a line to nancy@mafmfg.com.
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