HCC-TMAC symposium aims to help Gulf Coast manufacturers succeed
Apr 5, 2023
Rising costs, reduced revenue and a shortage of skilled workers are challenging small- and medium-size manufacturers in the Houston-Gulf Coast region and beyond.
But help is on the way. Houston Community College has teamed up with the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) to present the Houston Manufacturing Business Symposium to brainstorm strategies to tackle the issues. The gathering will take place from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. May 2 at HCC Stafford Campus Learning Hub, 10041 Cash Road in Stafford.
“The college is hosting the symposium for us to connect with manufacturers to help them grow and thrive,” said Alberto Urbina, dean of the HCC Material Science and Smart Manufacturing Center of Excellence. “We will also explore funding opportunities from government entities to invest in tools, equipment and infrastructure to expand manufacturing businesses.”
The symposium will gather local, state and business officials, who will be joined by HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado, Ph.D., P.E., and Madeline Burillo-Hopkins, HCC vice chancellor for Workforce Instruction.
“HCC is well positioned to create a talent pipeline with our training programs,” said Burillo-Hopkins, who also is president of HCC Southwest. “We look forward to the discussion and hope to find solutions to providing manufacturers with resources they need to succeed.”
Symposium speakers also include Jarvis Brewer and Joe Magruder of the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism; Michael Morford of Sustainment Technologies; Dan Poane of Texas Small Business Credit Initiative; Robyn Hill of Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center; Gerald McAdoo of Snapshot Business Services; Fernando De La Peña of Aexa Aerospace; and Walter Ugalde of Johnson Space Center.
TMAC is an affiliate of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program of National Institute of Standards and Technology, which provides federal funding.
For more information about the symposium, visit tmac.org/upcoming-events/ or email info@tmac.org.