The Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership is continuing to take steps to formalize one year after meeting as a group for the first time.  

An initiative born from the Cape Fear Council of Government’s Cape Fear Workforce Development Board, the partnership is an industry-led endeavor.  

Membership has grown from about 20 businesses at its first meeting to more than 30 today, according to its co-founder and interim chair, Jim Flock. Small employers and big names like GE and Corning have signed on. The focus has been on the tri-county region so far, but Flock said he’s eyeing Columbus County manufacturers next. 

“As members of the Manufacturing Partnership, that gives [businesses] a little more juice and a little more say in what goes on and can help them to grow,” he said. “If nothing else, they get training for some of their current workers to improve their skills and improve competitiveness.” 

So far, the group’s keystone goals are to enhance the perception of manufacturing jobs and to strengthen the talent development pipeline. 

The group recently got a shout-out from Gov. Roy Cooper, whose office sees the partnership as a replicable model.   

“Regional groups like the Cape Fear Manufacturing Partnership exemplify the NC Job Ready approach we have taken, which emphasizes employer leadership,” Cooper said in a press release. “By working together and identifying what businesses need, we can help grow our economy and fill the jobs that our state’s innovative manufacturers create.” 

N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders commended the partnership as complementing the state’s First in Talent strategic economic development plan, released in July, which includes expanding sector partnerships as a tactic to enhance business growth.  

“With sector partnerships, businesses set the agenda, and we help bring together experts in fields like economic development, workforce development and education,” Sanders said in the release. “[W]e are excited to see how the progress made in the Cape Fear region can serve as an example for additional initiatives in the future.” 

Originated by Erin Easton, who previously served as the Cape Fear Council of Government’s business engagement manager, the partnership was the first of its kind in the region. Typically, industry leaders are party to other organizations with similar goals, but groups run entirely by businesses represent a new strategy.  

In her new role as Cape Fear Community College’s workforce training coordinator, Easton has continued to shepherd the partnership, having recently organized CFCC’s manufacturing day expo. The expo was the most comprehensive display of the region’s manufacturing opportunities to date, Flock said, and attracted over 300 attendees.  

The volunteer group is led by its steering committee, consisting of Flock, general manager of Blair-HSM in Leland; Felipe Espinosa, director of manufacturing at Acme Smoked Fish in the Pender Commerce Park; Eric Barton, vice president of Tri-Tech Forensics in Leland; and Michael McWhorter, CEO of Mojotone in Burgaw. 

The partnership’s website launched in the fall; Flock filed for the partnership’s official incorporation as a nonprofit on Oct. 1. In the new year, the group will finalize its bylaws, select officers and come up with an action plan.  

It’s been gratifying to go from Zoom meetings during the pandemic to becoming a formal organization, Flock said. “People are starting to listen to us, and they want to get our input.” 

Meetings with leadership at Brunswick Community College have led to the development of courses to create certifications for a production technician academy, according to Flock, based on suggestions from the partnership’s member companies. CFCC is also incorporating partnership input into its existing programs, Flock said.  

As a partnership, “we have a louder voice, so we have a little more influence,” he said. At the same time, the community colleges and the partnership can streamline needs, with the partnership finding what skills overlap among multiple businesses, and the educators providing a curriculum that could translate to multiple job opportunities.  

Plans are already underway for the partnership to host career fairs in New Hanover, Pender, and Brunswick County schools in the spring, which will likely consist of presentations from businesses in the partnership.  

“We're really just getting started,” Flock said.