Change… You can see it in the color of the leaves, you can feel it in the air and you can see it at CMMA. Since inception, our group has been all about change, change for the better. Change can bring about new direction and new opportunity and it’s my fortune to report to you some of positive changes happening at your CMMA.
October is Manufacturing month in Minnesota and we’ve both celebrated and elevated this distinctive focus on our industry. We’re the originators of the now statewide Tour of Manufacturing and yet again this unique event set about to shine bright light on who we are, what we do and why you should join us.  It’s all about working shoulder to shoulder to dispel dark, dirty and dangerous and replace with clean, safe, technology and automation. It’s about precision, pride and purpose. Again this year, we’ve been successful in helping to give and gain industry exposure and inform those that did not know our work. Through opened doors, we’ve opened possibilities to new partnerships, new jobs, new career pathways, new understanding, new influence and a new appreciation for all things manufacturing in central Minnesota. This incredible effort yields rich rewards and the weight of the task is lifted by many. Together, we can all say a heartfelt thank you to the many hands that touch this uplifting annual initiative. Thanks to our manufacturers who opened their doors and hearts for all to see. Thanks to our organizers, funders, supporters and vendors. Thanks to tour attendees, thanks to teachers, students and bus drivers.  Thanks to the MMA team for outstanding effort, creativity and tools designed for impact. I hope that you benefitted from the Tour of Manufacturing and that you are better positioned and informed to advocate for our industry.
 
Another forthcoming change is the level of focus to be placed upon workforce development at CMMA. Although we’ve always concentrated our energies on our foundations of education, workforce and legislative advocacy, we starkly realize that our future is still dependent upon the seeds we sow today. Therefore, CMMA is going to expand our knowledge of, resources for and ability to deliver tools for youth apprenticeships to further make meaningful impact on tomorrow’s talent. We have the tools and intentions to empower our members to engage youth in your communities . Let’s work together to create interest, to invest in predictive labor stability and to prepare for and embrace the change that our youth will surely bring to our industry.     
We’re also changing to further harness and drive technology at CMMA. Our k12 Navigator career education website is a functional point of information and interconnectivity, yet it needs to advance to keep pace with how we communicate and share information in the rapid world we live in. To help shift gears, we’ve applied for grant funding to help with technological and accessibility upgrades and site improvement.  Have you had a chance to review the AI-generated meeting summaries that we now produce?  These articles are yet another example of change, change for the better.
We have the upcoming program year laid out and planned up, we’re well loaded to deliver continuing value on member investment.  Our committees are working hard on deliverables, our financial standing is strong, our community foundation has grown with the injection of this year’s golf tournament proceeds. These particular funds are solely utilized for grants, scholarships and to assist students and educators to pursue and achieve STEM training objectives.
CMMA, we’re conveners, we’re brokers of connectivity and we’re creators that move manufacturing forward.
CMMA, stronger together, moving forward and lighting the path.
 
In Service,
 
Les Engel, CMMA President