Michigan Business Beat | Delaney McKinley - Michigan Manufacturers Association Mid-2023 Review

Chris Holman welcomes back Delaney McKinley | Executive Vice President of Operations| Michigan Manufacturers Association, Lansing, MI Welcome Delaney, to start it out, remind the Michigan business community about MMA? We've been meaning to catch up with MMA for a Mid-Year Recap, what's been going on so far in 2023? We’ve been busy meeting with manufacturers throughout the state on top topics of interest to our state’s largest and most impactful industry - Workforce Solutions: The shortage of people interested in and prepared for manufacturing careers continues to be the primary barrier to growth for the manufacturing industry. Every Michigan region has its own set of unique workforce dilemmas. That’s why MMA is hitting the road to help find, source, and develop local solutions across the state. We are highlighting each region’s leading talent professionals, connecting our members with financial and training resources, and creating a space to network with localized talent resource professionals to bridge the workforce talent gap. How about Sustainability, that's been a key phrase for manufacturing this year? From an advocacy perspective, we’ve been focused on two key priorities: talent development and economic development. We’ve successfully advanced initiatives on both fronts that have attracted billions in new investment to the state and created and maintained tens of thousands of jobs. - However, we’re fighting a slew of proposals in the Legislature on the employment and energy fronts that run counter to those goals and would drive businesses out of the state in droves. From past work with you we know that you're instrumental in MMA's Manufacturing Excellence Awards, are they back again in 2023? Nominations are open for the 2023 Manufacturing Excellence Awards. The annual Manufacturing Excellence Awards celebrate the leaders and products that are pushing the industry forward. Nine different awards are up for grabs, including a NEW Michigan Manufactured Export of the Year and our people’s choice award,