CMTC's California's Manufacturing Network Welcomes 16 New Partners to Help Support CA Manufacturers Impacted by COVID-19

California Manufacturing Technology Consulting® (CMTC) announced today a significant expansion of California's Manufacturing Network to help small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) across the state survive, recover, and thrive as they navigate through the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Formed and led by CMTC, California's Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, CMN provides technical assistance, workforce development, and consulting services to SMMs throughout California. California's Manufacturing Network (CMN) now includes 32 organizations, with the addition of:

Association of Manufacturers Bay Area (AMBayArea), California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), East Bay Economic Development Alliance, Economic Development Collaborative: Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties, Economic Vitality Corporation - San Luis Obispo County, Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation, Kern Economic Development Corporation, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, NoRTEC/Grow Manufacturing Initiative, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation, San Diego's East County Economic Development Council, San Joaquin Partnership, Santa Cruz Works, South County Economic Development Council, and Water, Energy and Technology Center.

"We are thrilled to welcome 16 new partners to California's Manufacturing Network. This Network expansion gives us the capacity to efficiently serve more manufacturers across the state and help them to plan, protect, and recover from business disruptions caused by COVID-19," said James Watson, President and CEO of CMTC.

Facilitated by funding from the CARES Act Stimulus Package 2020, the efforts of CMN and its partners include the deployment of expert Business Stabilization Consultants as part of Regional Manufacturing Assistance Teams. The goal is to meet with manufacturers throughout California to identify and understand their specific needs, challenges, and opportunities, and provide them with a customized plan of action for recovery and growth.

"We are excited to partner with CMTC to leverage the power of California's Manufacturing Network in order to provide enhanced business development assistance to manufacturers in our region. During these uncertain times, a targeted local business outreach program is more critical than ever to ensure future economic growth," said Richard Chapman, President and CEO of Kern Economic Development Corporation.

About CMTC and California's Manufacturing Network (CMN)

Established in 1992, CMTC is a private non-profit corporation that provides consulting services to small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) throughout the state of California. CMTC operates as part of a National Network through a cooperative agreement between the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the Department of Commerce for the State of California. In 2018, CMTC formed California's Manufacturing Network (CMN) to expand capabilities and capacity to efficiently serve more manufacturers in California. This Network delivers services that address the regional challenges driven by a diverse manufacturing community. The Network is a collaboration of 32 partners focused on serving SMMs in rural and urban areas statewide. CMN has increased the number of SMMs served to more than 1,300 companies annually, which adds significant economic impact for manufacturers and the public good of the State of California.

About the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding

COVID-19 recovery and resilience services delivered by Business Stabilization Consultants are made possible by the NIST MEP National Emergency Assistance Program through funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Pub.L. 116?136).