TMA Hosts Mayors for Manufacturing Summit

(Schaumburg)- The Technology & Manufacturing Association of Illinois (TMA) yesterday hosted their second Mayors for Manufacturing Summit at the College of DuPage (COD). The purpose of the Summit was to bring together mayors and other local elected officials with area manufacturers to discuss issues ranging from property taxes, pension obligations and workers compensation regulations to Governor Rauner's turnaround agenda. More than two-dozen elected officials joined 60 plus TMA members and guests at the event.

"Today was a great opportunity for elected leaders to meet and compare notes with key manufacturers in our region," stated Hanover Park Mayor Rod Craig, who co-chaired the event with TMA's Government Relations Committee Chairman Zach Mottl. "Manufacturers are economic engines for our communities and it is important that we are in tune with their needs," Craig added.

The Summit kicked off with attendees touring COD's Technical Education Center, where students are trained for careers in manufacturing. Following the tour a panel discussion took place featuring TMA's Zach Mottl, Elk Gove Village Mayor Craig Johnson, Choose DuPage Executive Director Greg Bredlove, Mayor Craig and Illinois Policy Institute Director of Jobs and Growth Michael Lucci. TMA President Steve Rauschenberger moderated the panel. The Summit concluded with a dinner meeting featuring remarks from DuPage County Board Member Tonia Khouri.

"I am very pleased by the number of mayors and other village officials who took time out of their busy schedules to join us today," Mottl stated. "As manufacturers, we share common challenges with the municipalities we operate in, so it only makes sense that we share solutions as well."

About TMA: 8 small manufacturing companies who thought they could better themselves by associating with one another founded TMA in 1925. Through the years, members established programs and services that would help their businesses grow and prosper, train their employees, and provide medical and retirement benefits. As a result of these efforts, TMA has grown into an almost 1,000 member not-for-profit organization representing more than 30,000 employees of precision manufacturing and supplier companies throughout Illinois.