Tampa, FL – Last week, the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council celebrated 2025 Florida Manufacturing Days in the state capitol, bringing together nearly 50 manufacturing stakeholders to advocate for policies that strengthen Florida’s manufacturing sector.
The Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council is a coalition of industry champions working to advance a legislative climate that supports manufacturers. Representing well over 1,000 manufacturing stakeholders statewide, the Council consists of regional manufacturers’ associations and industry groups united in their advocacy efforts.
The Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) is a proud member of the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council. The Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) represents and promotes the interests of manufacturers throughout the Tampa Bay region, fostering growth and innovation in the manufacturing sector through advocacy, workforce development, and industry collaboration.
A Platform for Advocacy and Engagement
Florida Manufacturing Days provides manufacturers and industry stakeholders with a platform to engage directly with legislators and statewide partners. Through meetings with legislators, participants lend their voices to shaping Florida's manufacturing business environment while gaining insights into the legislative process.
Each year, Advocacy Council members collaborate to develop a legislative agenda that addresses the industry’s most pressing needs. The 2025 Advocacy Agenda includes two key legislative priorities:
1. Support “An Act Relating to Manufacturing” (Senate Bills 600 & 602; House Bills 561 & 563)
Sponsored by Representative Nan Cobb and Senator Keith Truenow, this bill aims to enhance Florida’s manufacturing ecosystem through strategic initiatives, including:
· Institutionalizing the Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO) position within FloridaCommerce to provide dedicated leadership and coordination for manufacturing initiatives statewide.
· Launching the "Made in Florida" Program to establish a statewide designation and marketing campaign, promoting locally manufactured products and increasing awareness of Florida’s manufacturing capabilities.
· Authorizing a Biennial State of Florida Manufacturing Report through FloridaCommerce in collaboration with the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership to provide comprehensive data and insights into the industry’s economic impact, helping drive policy and investment decisions.
· Creating a Technical Support Program for Florida Manufacturers to provide grants or low-interest loans for small and medium-sized manufacturers to adopt advanced technologies, improve cybersecurity, and enhance workforce training programs.
2. Encourage Growth Through Strategic Investments
To ensure a competitive business climate for manufacturers, the Council advocates for policies that drive high-wage job growth and capital investment:
· Expanding the Capital Investment Tax Credit (CITC): Broaden eligibility to all manufacturing subsectors (NAICS codes 31, 32, 33) and reduce investment and job creation thresholds, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized manufacturers in rural communities.
· Reestablishing the Qualified Target Industry (QTI) Tax Refund Program: A proven economic development tool that incentivizes high-value job creation by providing performance-based tax refunds only after businesses have created and verified new jobs. Historically, QTI has delivered a strong return on investment, generating more than $5 in additional state revenue for every dollar refunded.
Beth Galic, Executive Director of BAMA emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “Florida Manufacturing Days provides manufacturers with a chance to connect directly with lawmakers, ensuring that the unique needs and challenges of our industry are recognized. Advocacy like this plays a key role in influencing policies that drive economic growth and innovation within Florida’s manufacturing sector.”
A participating manufacturer, Andrew Kossowski, owner of Veterans Metal, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet with legislators, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the manufacturing sector and government officials. "I was pleased to participate in Manufacturing Days and engage with our legislators on topics vital to the success of our industry such as workforce development, regulatory initiatives, and economic growth strategies. The receptiveness of the legislators to our concerns and ideas was truly encouraging, and we look forward to continued collaboration to drive positive change in the manufacturing sector for our state.”
To learn more about Florida Manufacturing Days and the advocacy initiatives of the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council, visit www.floridaMFGadvocacy.com.
###
About BAMA:
The Bay Area Manufacturers Association (BAMA) represents and promotes the interests of manufacturers throughout the Tampa Bay region, fostering growth and innovation in the manufacturing sector through advocacy, workforce development, and industry collaboration.
About the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council
The Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council is a coalition of manufacturing champions dedicated to advancing policies that support the industry. By leveraging local relationships and grassroots advocacy, the Council works to ensure a thriving manufacturing sector in Florida. For more information, visit www.floridaMFGadvocacy.com.
