The Montrose Manufacturers Association (MMA) was established in October of 2023 through an effort spearheaded by Montrose Economic Development Corporation, (MEDC), and Colorado Mesa University – Montrose.

Just last week, the group met to recognize its official Sector Partnership designation through the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC).

Sector partnerships are partnerships of business leaders, from the same industry and in a shared labor market region, who work with education, workforce development, economic development, and community organizations to address the workforce and other competitiveness needs of their industry.

Sector partnerships can be formed among various industries, like hospitality, tech, healthcare and manufacturing.

While there are many sector partnerships recognized throughout the state, currently the Montrose Manufacturers Association is the only one recognized in Region 10, according to the CWDC’s website. It is also one of the first on all of the Western Slope.

The goal was to create an active, sustainable, local group of manufacturers who could meet regularly to share ideas, discuss challenges, and find solutions, according to the MMA.

The MMA has met monthly and through discussions that were brought forward, the group decided there was a need to engage with local educators, the workforce center and specific community and statewide organizations that could play an important role in addressing concerns and supporting their goals.

Montrose manufacturers include more than 35 companies that produce a wide range of products. These products include lumber and hemp-block construction materials, fly fishing reels, yurts, archery bows, rock drilling equipment, whiskey distillers, micro-showers and sewing companies to name a few.

The MMA is currently developing its strategic plan that will enable the group to gain greater insight into critical manufacturing industry functions including job recruitment, training, upskilling, retention, industry promotion and career pathways.

As one of the first state-recognized Sector Partnerships on the Western Slope, Montrose Manufacturing Association (MMA) will work in conjunction with the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium and education/economic partners to address both talent pipelines and workforce ecosystems—resulting in an enhanced local job market throughout the manufacturing industry.

Information in this article comes from a Montrose Manufacturers Association press release and the CWDC’s website.