Small and mid-sized manufacturers in California face multiple challenges, including foreign competition, the high cost of doing business in the State, steep tax burden, labor shortages, new regulations, and more! Fortunately, you are not alone. There are numerous resources catering to the specific needs of California manufacturers, but they are often under-utilized.
Why face your challenges alone when there are resources at your fingertips that are ready and willing to help? Many of our manufacturing clients have benefited from reaching out to the following resources for assistance in their time of need, and so I’m sharing them here in alphabetical order:
- CMTA – California Manufacturing & Technology Association
Are you concerned about the impact of current or upcoming regulations on your business? CMTA is your one-stop shop to get up-to-date information and join the other manufacturers in the fight for common-sense legislation. They fight to improve California laws and regulations so manufacturers can prosper. Since 1918, CMTA has worked with the state government to develop balanced laws, effective regulations, and sound public policies to stimulate economic growth and create new jobs while safeguarding the state’s environmental resources. You can learn more about them here: https://cmta.net/, and consider becoming a member to support the common cause!
- CMTC – California Manufacturing Technology Consulting
Need assistance growing your business, improving efficiency, or navigating challenges? CMTC is a “Go-To” organization whose entire mission is supporting small to mid-sized California manufacturers. They have experts that can help manufacturers with everything from increasing sales, reducing cost, improving quality, developing your workforce, implementing new technology, HR compliance, and risk management. They are a non-profit organization affiliated with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and is part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program. The MEP Program contains 51 centers across the U.S. to serve the manufacturing community. You can learn more about CMTC here and contact them for any needed assistance: https://www.cmtc.com/
- CA SBDC – California Small Business Development Center
California’s Small Business Development Center Network is one of the state’s primary resource partners for small business development. With 42 service centers, the CA SBDC Network provides small businesses and entrepreneurs with confidential, no-cost, one-on-one advising, expert training, and a wide business network. You can learn more about CA SBDC here: https://www.californiasbdc.org/
- GO-Biz – Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
While this resource is not specific to the manufacturing sector, it is helpful for any business owner. GO-Biz offers no-cost consultation services to business owners, including attraction, retention, and expansion services, site selection, permit assistance, regulatory guidance, small business assistance, international trade development, assistance with state government, and more. You can learn more about GO-Biz here: https://business.ca.gov/
- LAEDC – Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation
Here’s an organization specific to LA County and not limited to just the manufacturing sector. LAEDC’s Business Assistance Program team (BAP) offers confidential, free-of-charge consulting to large and small businesses and domestic and international businesses across all industry sectors. They help companies overcome challenges to sustain, grow and hire. You can learn more about LAEDC and contact them for any needed assistance here: https://laedc.org/business-assistance/
So, if you weren’t already aware of these wonderful organizations, I hope you will take advantage of this list of resources to help your business thrive in California!
