Shasta Grow Manufacturing Initiative 

The Shasta Economic Development Corporation’s Grow Manufacturing Initiative is in full effect. With strong community buy-in and support from the local business community, the Grow Manufacturing Initiative is moving ever closer to its goal of helping current and future Shasta County manufacturers grow.

What is the Grow Manufacturing Initiative?

The Grow Manufacturing Initiative began with a simple luncheon in Redding, hosted by Bill Gaines, the founder and Senior Engineer with Transfer Flow Inc. He was joined by eight manufacturers, local educators, and representatives from the Redding Chamber of Commerce, the Shasta Builders Exchange, and the Economic Development Corporation of Shasta County. From that meeting the Grow Manufacturing Initiative has grown to include dozens of local businesses and hundreds of community members eager to accelerate the Redding economy.

In 2013, Gaines and fellow manufacturers helped launch a similar project in Butte County in order to increase collaboration, develop business-to-business E-commerce platforms, increase training opportunities, and strengthen political awareness. In the following years, Butte County added 800 manufacturing jobs to the area. Manufacturing jobs are often the road to prosperity for hardworking Americans, and with rising economic confidence and record high jobs reports, the moment is right for a new economic day in Shasta County as well.

Already, the Grow Manufacturing Initiative has resulted in ongoing job fairs and employer workshops. In addition, local teachers are lending a hand to help local workers upgrade their skills so they are ready to work in the new global economy — from right here in Shasta County. Another local success story has come in the form of the Smart Business Resource Center, where teens and adults can earn their GED and improve their employment prospects. Smart has already helped place hundreds of workers into new jobs.

Every facet of the Grow Manufacturing Initiative is set to help strengthen the manufacturing workforce in Redding for years to come. Additionally, while Shasta County works toward local manufacturing growth, the entire manufacturing industry across the globe is enjoying some positive changes as well. Globally, manufacturing now accounts for roughly 16% of worldwide GDP and 14% of global employment.

Forging New Manufacturing Opportunities in Shasta County

Specifically in Shasta County, thanks to the convenience of local freeways, rail, and air delivery infrastructure (to roughly 50 million people within the 24-hour delivery range), industries within Redding and Shasta County are set to significantly improve. The Shasta EDC also offers incentives for free land, free waivers, labor training assistance, and some of the cheapest electrical discounts throughout the entire state of California.

From small machining and fabrication to aviation and innovative technology, the Shasta EDC is working to bring more jobs, more economic stability, and more innovation to Northern California.

To learn more about the Grow Manufacturing Initiative or to speak directly with Todd Jones, the president of Shasta County EDC, contact us today at 530-224-4920.