'Manufacturing Rocks!' MFG Day/Month events are right around the corner

Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center Join VMEC for a panel discussion with the State of Vermont Departments of Economic Development and Labor, Vermont State Colleges Workforce Division and VT manufacturing leaders to discuss the current and future states of manufacturing in the Green Mountain State. See the Manufacturing Day/Month events below.

October 6 - "What's Ahead for Manufacturing in Vermont?" Join us for a panel discussion with the State of Vermont Departments of Economic Development and Labor, Vermont State Colleges Workforce Division and VT manufacturing leaders to discuss the current and future states of manufacturing in the Green Mtn. State. Register today. NOTE: Be sure to fill out this brief survey so you receive the best attendee experience during this session.

October 19 - "LEDdynamics – Providing Solutions to your Illumination Needs" Plan to attend their presentation and tour-based event where you’ll learn how Lean, Continuous Improvement and Innovation Engineering play a key role in the transformation and continued growth of this successful VT manufacturer who’s on the forefront of promoting LED innovation to customers around the globe. Register today.

October 19 - "Rapidly Adopt Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities" Tour the Advanced Manufacturing Center where you will see and hear how the Center is helping companies rapidly adopt AM capabilities through technology application and workforce development. The learning journey will include capabilities from ideation through production. Three separate tour times are available; visit our Upcoming Training page to Register today.

October 26 - "Meet Your Vermont RDC!" Join us for a panel discussion with several Regional Development Corporation leaders across the state. The Department of Economic Development provides administrative funding to Vermont’s RDC’s serving every geographic region of the state. These organizations serve as “satellites” of the Department, and they provide local knowledge and facilitate assistance in their communities. Hear how they can assist in your business endeavors, develop partnership opportunities and network through the manufacturing community. Register today. NOTE: Be sure to fill out this brief survey so you receive the best attendee experience during this session.

Check out the complete listing of events and don't forget to register your own company event and/ or plan to attend one or more!

For you, your team or entire company - join us for one or more learning opportunities! -- People, Process and Technology webinar - September 29, 1:00 - 2:00 pm, Teams webinar, Free Register today. -- The 5S System: Workplace Organization and Standardization - October 14, 8:00 am - 12:30 pm, Williston, $325 pp Register today. -- Leadership Training For An Efficient And Effective Staff - October 19, 9:00 am - 12 Noon, Hyde Park, $50 pp Register today. -- Strengthening Supervisor - Employee Relationships with TWI Job Relations - October 24 - 28, 9:00 - 11:30 am each day, Zoom meeting, $595 pp Register today. -- Lean 101 with SEW BIZ simulation - October 27, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, South Burlington, $325 pp Register today. -- Fundamentals of Lean Office 101 - November 1, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Burlington, $325 pp Register today. -- Accelerating Effective Employee Training with TWI Job Instruction - November 29, December 1, 6, 8 and 13, 9:00 – 11:30 am each day, Zoom, $595 pp Register today.

Short-term Forgivable Loan Program launched Governor Phil Scott, the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD), and the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA) recently announced the launch of the Short-Term Forgivable Loan Program designed to support Vermont businesses experiencing continued working capital shortfalls as a result of the pandemic. The program is designed to ensure the loans will be forgiven if the proceeds are used to pay for eligible operating expenses. There are no restrictions to how the funds must be spent, only that the money be used for operating costs and not capital investments. Borrowers who use the loan to pay for operating expenses such as payroll, mortgage interest, rent, and utilities will have twelve months to apply for full forgiveness. Read the press release here for complete details.

Vermont Receives $249,000 for Export Assistance Grants Vermont has received an additional $249,000 in State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Eligible Vermont businesses may apply for STEP funds to offset costs associated with entering or expanding into international markets, including trade shows, foreign trade missions, export training and compliance, and developing company websites and advertising campaigns. Vermont has received an award in each of the ten consecutive rounds of funding, totaling more than $2.5 million. For details on eligibility and the application process, visit ACCD VT STEP.

Yes! Employee Retention Is Possible! Our world has changed dramatically over the past two-and-a-half years. And so have the needs, desires and expectations of the people you hope to hire and retain. To help organizations of all kinds improve their ability to recruit and retain great workers, the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and the U.S. Department of Commerce, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and around 60 industry representatives, developed the Job Quality Toolkit. Read the complete blog post here. When Your Lean Supply Chains Feel Out of Control.... ...Focus on what you can control! Many manufacturers who adopted Lean principles by applying a “just-in-time” (JIT) mindset to inventory of materials and parts have been burned, sometimes badly, by cascading supply chain disruptions. Broken links in the supply chain have created havoc, especially for smaller manufacturers. Some have scrambled to build “safety stock” of hard-to-find supplies. Others have sought out redundant sourcing. The reality is that everything is connected in your supply chain, and those connections can be fragile when they are not well supported. Read the complete blog post here.