February 19 Webinar to Offer Guidance on “Manufacturing Community” Competition Applications

On Wednesday, February 19, 2014, the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the International Economic Development Council will hold a free webinar to provide information and guidance to communities applying for designation as "manufacturing communities" from the administration's Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP). The competitive application process was opened in December 2013 to give communities an opportunity to compete for a special designation that will give them priority in consideration for up to $1.3 billion in federal funding and assistance from ten cabinet departments and agencies to support communities' economic development strategies to attract global manufacturers and their supply chains. The deadline to apply for the special designation is March 14.

Led by the White House National Economic Council and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the IMCP aims to help accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing in the United States. It brings together the resources of multiple agencies and departments involved in economic development, including ARC, to help communities create globally competitive environments that grow, retain, and expand manufacturing investment and spur international trade.

The webinar will be held at 2:00 p.m. and will provide an overview of the IMCP, updates about the application process, and an opportunity to ask questions about both the partnership and the application process. Registration is available online at https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/252715879.