Economic Vitality Corporation of San Luis Obispo County (EVC) is pleased to announce a partnership with CMTC’s California’s Manufacturing Network to provide direct support to manufacturers negatively impacted by COVID-19.
“We recognize that manufacturers in our community are in need of support and we want to ensure they have access to the services and programs they need to sustain their operations now and in the future.” said Maria Kelly, Interim Executive Director, EVC.
With the pandemic dramatically redefining the landscape for California manufacturers, the EVC will work with CMTC and other members of the Network to help businesses survive, recover, and thrive as they navigate through the challenges brought on by the crisis.
The EVC is providing resources and services at no cost to businesses such as: assistance locating sources of capital and local/state incentives; site selection assistance; information regarding workforce development programs; and technical assistance through California’s Manufacturers Accelerator program. The goal is to meet with manufacturers throughout the region to identify and understand their specific needs, challenges, and opportunities, and provide them with assistance for recovery and growth.
Funding from the CARES Act Stimulus Package 2020 is supporting this effort to reach manufacturing companies who are facing challenges in the current economic climate. Brad Brechwald, the EVC Board of Directors -Vice Chair, expressed that “manufacturing is essential for maintaining a healthy state of our economy”. As President and CEO of Wallace Group, “he appreciates the effort by the EVC to support this very important industry.”
About the EVC
Established in 1994, the Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC) is the provider of economic development services and business resources throughout San Luis Obispo County. A 501(c)(3) non-profit, EVC is funded by private and public sector sponsors which support our mission to help start and grow businesses on the Central Coast and create a more vital economy.
Covering a large region on the beautiful California Central Coast, the EVC provides local businesses and entrepreneurs with a wide range of resources including business loan referral program, workshops and seminars, international trade consultation, angel investor and venture capital resources, and more. The EVC also launches and implements industry cluster assessments and economic strategies. The Board of Directors is comprised of business and government leaders from throughout San Luis Obispo County.
The EVC mission is to help start and grow businesses on the Central Coast and create a more vital economy.
Partnering with CMTC by launching outreach to SLO County manufacturing leaders to address and remove barriers to operations during and post COVID-19.
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 more than 25 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 funding is 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).