Your CMMA is running at full steam and growing like garden vegetables in the Summer sun!  I’m honored to share an update on the vibrant activities, outcomes and opportunities that our amazing group continuously delivers.

At CMMA, Summer is a time of discovery and hands-on learning experiences in manufacturing, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and skilled trades. At this season’s camps and training sessions, young people have been immersed into our world, they’ve been inspired and guided and the future is bright! Thanks to all who laid hands on these meaningful endeavors, it takes a village! Our annual golf fundraiser was again a huge success! Congrats to our winners, gratitude for our golfers and appreciation for all volunteers, sponsors and investors. All proceeds are directed to our community foundation fund and are exclusively targeted and utilized to support our education partnerships.    

As temperatures cool, our focus and actions turn toward our renowned Tour of Manufacturing. This long standing, meaningful and effective event has proven to be a myth busting, eye opening and career shaping opportunity to dispel industry misconception and to awaken interest, excitement and optimism in our industry.  Check out the Impact Report and our follow-up edition of the Tour of Manufacturing Magazine on our website, you too will understand the magnitude of our impact, you too will want in!  This initiative requires great orchestration, financial support and a whole lot of volunteer leadership. It never ceases to amaze me how the power of well-intended collaborators can achieve goals that once were only ideas and dreams!

Help get students on the road to explore careers in manufacturing! The 2026 Minnesota Manufacturing Bus Tour Fund is raising donations to help schools across Minnesota cover transportation costs for student visits to local manufacturing facilities during October’s Tour of Manufacturing Month. Together, we can remove transportation barriers and give more students the opportunity to see manufacturing careers firsthand. Click the link here to donate today!

It’s also back to school time! This means Robotics, k12 grants and a whole host of related activities designed to engage and support area youth who will be the future of Manufacturing in central Minnesota. Hats off to our Lynda Bailey and her innovative team at MMA, our mothership and source for organization and innovation. Under Lynda’s vision and pursuit, new grants have been secured and deployed. Initiatives such as our CMMA Student Showcase Contest are proof positive of traction and momentum. As per MMA: “This regional student contest is designed to spotlight the future of manufacturing through student creativity and perspective. Students across Central Minnesota are invited to submit short videos, original artwork, and written essays that reflect their understanding of modern manufacturing careers, innovation, and the opportunities available right here in our region. This contest gives students a platform to share their voice, explore career pathways, and help reshape perceptions of manufacturing as a high-tech, rewarding, and essential industry”.

We will resume our regular meeting schedule after summer hiatus and our annual reuniting social gathering. Join us on August 19^th at Bad Habit Brewing Company in St. Joseph for our Summer Social!

Soon we will be rising early, traveling to a breakfast meeting and touring yet another marvelous manufacturing facility in our area. Join us September 24^th at Bad Habit Brewing Company for our morning networking and Legislative Panel discussion, followed by a tour at Hansen & Company Woodworks!

Meanwhile, get your return on investment by accessing and using the wealth of resources that are available on our website! Webinars, Paid Leave insight and information sessions on a wide variety of manufacturing, marketing and workforce development topics are readily available to help you manage and grow your business. Let us know when you feel the need to throw in even further with CMMA, there’s always room for you at our table, join a committee and add your wood to the fire!      

We’re excited to expand training and workforce opportunities for our members through our Career Connect Initiative and newly awarded grants, including Drive for 5, Dual Training, and Apprenticeship Program funding. These programs will help manufacturers strengthen their workforce, develop talent, and connect with the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Stay on the lookout for upcoming opportunities and grant funding available to our members!

I look forward to another exciting season in the life and times of CMMA. I’m thankful for what our Group has become and I anticipate many more accomplishments to report! Let’s stay the course and together let’s contribute to the growth and success of manufacturers by educating members, and providing workforce development, networking opportunities and legislative advocacy.

In service

Les Engel, CMMA President