WESTFIELD-Manufacturing plays a key role in the economy across the state, and Kate Phelon, executive director, Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to represent those businesses across the region as part of the Massachusetts Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC).
Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, has received an appointment by Gov. Charlie Baker.
“I am very honored and excited about this appointment and appreciate the state’s leadership in recognizing the role a chamber of commerce representative can have in not only formulating agendas for particular industries, but the outreach we have with our membership,” said Phelon.
The appointment also comes at a time when the state celebrates “Manufacturing Month” in October. Phelon recently received the appointment which is one of three appointed by the governor.
Michael Knapik, serving as director in Baker’s Springfield office, said in a statement that this appointment is significant because the “Baker-Polito administration is looking to broaden the membership on many boards and commissions to increase diverse, minority, and women representation.”
The AMC was launched in 2011 with a “mission” – to create conditions for growth in the Massachusetts innovation economy and lead the national effort to “revitalize the country as a place that makes things.” The group is also working in parallel with President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership and with seven other states through the National Governors Association Center of Best Practices Policy Academy on Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation.
Phelon said the “purpose” of the AMC is to develop and implement the state’s manufacturing agenda with the goal to foster and strengthen the necessary conditions to promote growth and innovation of manufacturing.
In her announcement to Chamber members, Phelon said she will be working with “leaders from government, industry, and academia to formulate policy in helping our manufacturing companies to remain competitive.”
Phelon noted that since its formation, the AMC has focused on several key areas: workforce development and education, technical assistance, innovation and access to capital; enhancement of competitiveness, easing cost of doing business and regulatory review of small to medium enterprises; promoting manufacturing which will include attracting a talented workforce, and expansion of in-state marketing of the supply chain.
Having attended her first full AMC meeting in mid-September, Phelon has learned firsthand what the subcommittees have been engaged in for the past five years.
“Right now there is a committee that is working on a five-year strategic planning process to develop a strategy to keep manufacturing growing, exciting, inclusive and innovative,” said Phelon.
As her involvement and acclimation to the AMC work ahead continues to expand, Phelon said she will share information with local manufacturers.
“I was amazed at the work that has been done by this committee and am very excited to work with stakeholders in the public and private sectors,” said Phelon, adding she hopes in the near future to see more women in leadership roles in manufacturing in Western Massachusetts.
With more than 40 manufacturing companies in the Greater Westfield area, Phelon said she looks forward to sharing her new wealth of knowledge through the AMC to help those businesses grow and innovate.
“One of the most critical issues facing manufacturing in the next five years is innovation,” said Phelon. “Small to medium enterprises will have an opportunity to consider modifying or changing their production lines to meet the supply chain needs of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).”
Phelon also noted that “talent” is also critical for a skilled labor force.
“Westfield Technical Academy is a model for others across the state,” said Phelon. “We could double the footprint of the school and there would still be a waiting list for students.”
Phelon said that among the countless avenues that the AMC has drilled down and examined, health care and energy costs are “challenges” that manufacturing companies must also address. AMC suggestions to rein in these issues include health insurance and health care cost containment, statewide regulatory reform to ease the impact of regulations on small businesses, and expand access to energy efficiency audit and finance programs for manufacturers.
“We have an eco-system of manufacturing across the state that includes start-ups and new ventures, small to medium enterprises, and OEM’s, and everyone’s operations are under consideration to ensure the AMC gives sound direction for manufacturers to grow and innovate,” said Phelon.
