Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 7

9 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 7 “MAKE IT BETTER: A BLUEPRINT FOR MANUFACTURING IN NORTHEA LAUNCHES, OFFERING NEWVISION AND STRATEGY FOR THE REGIO Blueprint initiative draws on insights from more than 150 of the region’s top industry leaders, nonprofits, community groups, educators and more to develop a vision for Northeast Ohio: to lead the world in smart manufacturing. T he Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET), together with more than 100 champions, recently announced the launch of “Make It Better: A Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio.” Bringing together the insights of hundreds of manufacturing CEOs, community leaders, business leaders, academics, workers, students, and nonprofit leaders, the Blueprint offers a vision for the future of manufacturing in the region: one that revitalizes Northeast Ohio as a leader in smart manufacturing, creates thousands of jobs, and transforms the industry. “Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio has had its ups and downs, but the fact of the matter is the region remains a powerhouse that’s poised for growth,” said Dr. Ethan Karp, President and CEO of MAGNET. “We’ve got all the pieces in place, but to make it happen we’ve got to bridge the talent gap, adopt cutting-edge technologies, and embrace innovation. While no one organization can change the course of our industry, it’s our hope that the stories, expertise, and detailed strategies presented in this Blueprint can show us all what’s possible in Northeast Ohio – and encourage us to work together to build a brighter future.” Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio constitutes nearly half of the local economy, directly and indirectly supports one million jobs and makes up 38% of the state’s GDP. But it faces persistent challenges: namely, a talent gap and the slow adoption of innovative technologies. In January 2020, almost 60% of manufacturers in the region said they couldn’t find the skilled workers they need to grow– an obstacle that even widespread COVID-19-related layoffs didn’t solve. Meanwhile, the Ohio MEP 2020 OPENING L INES