By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
September 26, 2019
At the request of Laura DiBella, Executive Director of the Nassau County Economic Development Board and Port Director for the Port of Fernandina, Ocean Highway and Port Authority, a resolution was presented and unanimously adopted by the Board of County Commissioners, declaring October 2019 as Manufacturing Month. This is the third year that such a designation has been given.
As noted in the resolution, “Florida ranks among the top ten states for manufacturing establishments with more than 381,000 manufacturing employees and more than 20,500 manufacturing companies. In addition, “Florida’s manufacturing industry excelled in job gains over the year in June, adding 11,500 new jobs.”
The following companies and their representatives were present to accept the resolution:
Florida Machine Works – Joe Oller
Rayonier Advanced Materials – Marjanna Garvin and Mark Homans
West Rock – Eric Schmidt
Amelia Toffee – Anita Comisky; and, from
Science First – Frances Darling
Other companies in support of the declaration (but not present) were the firms of Masonite and Florida Sun Printing.
Joe Oller, General Manager of Florida Machine Works noted that part of the effort behind the resolution is “to enlighten our students to consider manufacturing as a career path.”
RESOLUTION 2019 – _
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF NASSAU COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2019 AS MANUFACTURING MONTH.
WHEREAS, Manufacturing Month has been recognized as an effective way to expand knowledge about the value manufacturing brings to Florida’s economy, the importance of the industry to the nation’s economic well-being, and to show case the high-wage manufacturing jobs available in the industry; and
WHEREAS, by working together with educators, manufacturers can connect with the workforce of the future to build the next generation of skilled
manufacturing employees, take charge of the public image of manufacturing, and ensure the ongoing prosperity of the industry and our country; and
WHEREAS, Florida ranks among the top ten (10) states for manufacturing establishments, according to Florida’s Department of Economic Opportunity, with more than 381,000 manufacturing employees and more than
20,500 manufacturing companies; and
WHEREAS, Florida’s manufacturing industry excelled in job gains over the year in June, adding 11,500 new jobs; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida commends and supports
Manufacturing Month 2019 and the organizations involved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of County Commissioners of Nassau County, Florida, this ___________ day of September, 2019 that:
1.The Board hereby proclaims the month of October 2019 as Manufacturing Month in Nassau County, Florida.
2.The Board recognizes October 4th as the official kickoff date and extends their best wishes to all observing
October 2019 as Manufacturing Month.
3.
4.The Board urges all citizens of Nassau County to join in recognizing the value of our manufacturers and the important role they serve in our community.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.