FloridaMakes

10/13/2026

Has your manufacturing business been impacted by Hurricane Isaias, whether through physical damage or economic impacts due to power outages, downtime or disruptions to your customers or key suppliers?

FloridaCommerce has opened the Business Damage Assessment Survey, which opens a broad range of support resources from local, state and federal partners.

Visit www.FloridaDisaster.biz and click on the link for the Business Damage Assessment Survey to provide information on the storm’s impacts to your business, or access the survey directly at https://floridadisaster.biz/Respond/BusinessDamageAssessmentsSurvey

10/01/2026

Florida makes more than you think.

October is Florida Manufacturing Month, a time to recognize the people, companies and technologies driving one of our state’s most important industries forward.

And modern manufacturing looks very different than many people imagine.

Our Manufacturing Month kickoff features Jacksonville-based EZ Automation Systems, where advanced technologies including robotics, AI-driven vision inspection and automation are helping manufacturers improve quality, efficiency and performance.

Throughout October, FloridaMakes will take you inside Florida manufacturing to highlight the companies that make here, the people behind the work, the careers available across the industry and the technologies shaping what comes next.

Florida Manufacturing Month also creates opportunities for manufacturers, schools and communities to introduce the next generation to modern manufacturing and the career pathways it offers.

See how you can participate in Florida Manufacturing Month:
https://madeinflorida.org/manufacturing-day/

Because Florida makes more than you think.

09/28/2026

Before this role, Daniel worked the floor of his family’s elevator manufacturing business: welding, running production and eventually leading operations.

“I was in your shoes not long ago,” he says. “I was working with a FloridaMakes Business Advisor.”

Today, Daniel brings that experience to manufacturers in South Florida through FloridaMakes’ partnership with the South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA).
Manufacturers don’t have to navigate challenges alone. Through FloridaMakes’ statewide network and regional partners like SFMA, Business Advisors bring practical guidance, specialized expertise and connections tailored to where a company is today.

Daniel’s first questions to any manufacturer aren’t about programs. They’re:
“What do you do?”
“What do you make?”
“How do you make it?”
You don’t need to know the solution before you call. You just need to start the conversation.

09/04/2026

Behind every product made in Florida are the people who make it possible.

This Labor Day, we recognize the manufacturers, operators, technicians, engineers, supervisors, apprentices, and teams whose work strengthens companies, supports families, and powers communities across our state.

Manufacturing is more than what gets made. It is the people, skills, pride, and problem-solving behind it.

As we look ahead to Manufacturing Month, FloridaMakes will continue highlighting the people and companies shaping the future of manufacturing in Florida.

08/26/2026

Florida manufacturers are building products, creating jobs, and strengthening communities across the state.

Yesterday, FloridaMakes joined the South Florida Manufacturers Association, Congressman Brian Mast and his team, and the Expert Shutter Services team for a tour of the company’s new facility in Port St. Lucie.

The visit gave us a closer look at Expert Shutter Services’ manufacturing operations, including its Ultrascreen System, and created an opportunity to discuss the needs, opportunities, and continued growth of manufacturing across the Treasure Coast.

We appreciate SFMA’s partnership in bringing manufacturers, industry leaders, and public officials together to support Florida’s manufacturing community.

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

08/18/2026

Manufacturers don't just build great products; they build great people.

The Florida Manufacturer Apprentice of the Year Awards recognize the employers and apprenticeship sponsors who are investing in Florida's future manufacturing workforce by developing skilled talent through apprenticeship.

If your organization has an apprentice who represents your commitment to workforce development, we'd love to celebrate that success.

Nominations close September 15, 2026. Winners will be recognized at the FloridaMakes Workforce Excellence Awards Ceremony in Orlando this October.

➡️ Submit your nomination today: https://floridamakes.jotform.com/261057017396963

08/11/2026

Most people do not realize how much manufacturing is growing in Florida.

Florida’s manufacturing output has grown by 98.4% since 2014, reflecting a sector that is larger, stronger, and more important to the state’s economy than many people may think.

Behind that growth are manufacturers making products, creating jobs, adopting new technologies, strengthening supply chains, and building opportunities in communities across Florida.

For manufacturers, growth also brings new challenges: workforce needs, operational capacity, technology decisions, supply chain pressures, and planning for what comes next.

That is where FloridaMakes can help.

FloridaMakes Business Advisors work directly with manufacturers to understand their goals, identify challenges, and connect them with the right resources, partners, and next steps.

Are you a manufacturer in Florida?

Start with a no-cost performance assessment.
http://floridamakes.com/service-offerings/performance-assessment

08/07/2026

Florida's efforts to build a strong semiconductor workforce are being recognized by international industry media.

Cleanroom Technology recently featured St. Petersburg College's new Semiconductor Cleanroom Operator Certificate and the collaborative work taking place to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing.

FloridaMakes, through FLATE, is proud to support education and workforce initiatives that connect students with high-demand careers while helping manufacturers develop the skilled talent they need.

Congratulations to St. Petersburg College, Jabil, and everyone involved in making this program possible.

Read the full story: https://www.cleanroomtechnology.com/st-petersburg-college-launches-semiconductor-cleanroom-operator-certificate

07/29/2026

Manufacturers do not have to solve business challenges alone.

Meet Jolee Martin, FloridaMakes Regional Director for Northwest Florida.

Jolee works directly with manufacturers to help identify challenges, prioritize opportunities, and connect companies with the right resources for workforce, operations, supplier connections, facility planning, and growth.

Learn more about Jolee and how FloridaMakes Business Advisors support manufacturers across the state:

For many manufacturers, the hardest part of solving a business challenge is knowing where to start.

07/20/2026

Florida manufacturers need access to the right tools to grow, invest, and strengthen their workforce.

Join FloridaMakes for Financial Tools to Build Your Manufacturing Business on Thursday, July 24 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

This webinar will cover financing opportunities for working capital, long-term fixed assets, and workforce upskilling.

Featured speakers include Jennifer Krause of First Capital Finance and Michael Aller of FloridaMakes.

Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/An6fP3lXWJh4vhDmornUmXxTDOpyUVl2rAoi5RWsGfqPKAzWqRZu~AsUHuJLD_grrkKTE9AF6wMcG9ri2a7xwaU8Bd_-9z_DQX2w7B8Yq8pLF_4TAAJ0fA8EGWX9f3WBZxUMNcrZFoWSNCA