Mechanism

Civic and Social OrganizationsUnited States11-50 Employees

The Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) is a national coalition of manufacturing practitioners working together to grow more equitable and prosperous economies by building robust, sustainable, and inclusive urban manufacturing sectors. UMA was founded, in large part, on the principle that making and manufacturing is a wealth-building strategy for communities—especially lower-income communities and communities of color—through employment, ownership, and entrepreneurship.

The manufacturing sector historically, and continues to be today, a key source of employment for the middle class and workers without a college degree, who make up approximately 65% of the manufacturing workforce. The manufacturing industry continues to play a vital role in generating a high local economic multiplier and indirect jobs, beating out other industries often championed for fueling a thriving urban economy such as wholesale and retail trade, finance and insurance, and food services.

UMA and our members seek to better inform the public, policymakers, and thought-leaders around the current and growing manufacturing landscape in cities across the U.S. and beyond through research and implementation, thought-partnerships with leading national and local organizations, and storytelling. Our focus areas to foster urban manufacturing are: Local branding, equity, workforce development, capital access, and land use policy.

As an organization, UMA:
* Advances place-based strategies that create more equitable communities by building wealth through employment, ownership, and entrepreneurship
* Connects and convenes 900+ members across 250+ cities, helping them learn from one another
* Acts as a collaborative ecosystem builder that builds up local manufacturing communities and a national movement

We envision a vibrant urban manufacturing sector that offers for diverse residents to share in economic prosperity.

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