In an effort to spur and guide corporate growth via multiple industry sectors, the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Council for Economic Outreach (CEO) announced the launch of an advanced model of corporate engagement and collaboration designed to serve our regional manufacturing base.
Through collaboration with the regional chapter of AMANCF (Advanced Manufacturing Association of North Central Florida), the chamber and CEO will provide support in multiple areas such as business development, marketing and public policy support for the remainder of 2013.
This partnership is a first step toward accelerating growth in the manufacturing industry across the North Central Florida region, said Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Gainesville chamber.
“It is our expectation that we will evaluate this 2013 pilot program and formally roll out a comprehensive model to work directly with many of our major industries in the Gainesville area in 2014,” Giuliani said.
AMANCF is a manufacturing association formed in 2012 in Alachua, Bradford, Columbia and surrounding counties in North Central Florida to champion the growth and sustainability of advanced manufacturing. The mission of AMANCF is to encourage the success of local manufacturers by promoting, supporting and expanding manufacturing efforts of all sizes in North Central Florida.
The Gainesville Chamber will provide AMANCF with expertise and resources to enhance its regional manufacturing presence in the areas of business development, public policy, economic development, talent and workforce, international trade and regional growth.
“The vision of AMANCF and the Gainesville chamber is seamless,” said Susan Davenport, vice president of economic development for the Council for Economic Outreach. “Together, we will advocate for regional manufacturers at all levels of government while fostering a favorable business climate that encourages growth for all manufacturers in our region.”
Davenport cited plans to host three meetings later this year to better connect regional manufacturers with a variety of speakers and agendas as a direct result of the partnership. The first meeting took place on Sept. 11. Titled “Innovations in Manufacturing,” the meeting was held at the Cade Museum and featured guest speaker Erik Sander, director of the UF Engineering Innovation Institute, who showcased the opportunity for creativity and innovation in the manufacturing space.
“We look forward to inspiring more economic growth in our area with this sector-specific industry model, and the contributions of the Cade Museum and other partners are the beginning of that effort,” Davenport said.
Events are open to all regional manufacturers, who can access the AMANCF page to register for the event and find more information at www.GainesvilleChamber.com/AMANCF.
For more information about the pilot, contact Susan Davenport at 352-334-7100 or via email at [email protected].
