Sarasota Manatee Manufacturers Association (SAMA) Expands to Serve Five Counties
SAMA Now Serving Manufacturers in Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands Counties.
SARASOTA, Fla. (Aug. 12, 2024) — The Sarasota Manatee Manufacturers Association (SAMA) is expanding its reach, now encompassing Hardee and Highlands counties alongside Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto counties. This growth marks a significant step in SAMA's mission to support and connect the manufacturing community across the region.
"We see manufacturing expanding to the Heartland from both coasts," said Rob Harris, Executive Director of SAMA. "Several Economic Development offices have approached us to engage with their manufacturing companies and provide our services and networking opportunities."
This expansion aligns with SAMA's ongoing work in the region. Pavel Kuviarzin, SAMA's Business Advisor, recently spearheaded a process improvement project with a Hardee County manufacturer, garnering attention from The Development Group (TDG) of Hardee County. The project has already yielded impressive results, prompting further collaboration.
The expansion also fits within the revised structure of FloridaMakes, a statewide organization that partners with SAMA. As part of the Southwest Region, along with the Southwest Regional Manufacturing Association (SRMA), SAMA is committed to supporting manufacturers in both urban and rural areas.
A meet-and-greet event is being planned in Hardee County, with similar efforts to follow in Highlands and DeSoto counties. In the meantime, manufacturers in the newly added counties are encouraged to reach out to SAMA for assistance and to take advantage of the association's resources.
