Oakland, California – East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) is pleased to announce a partnership with CMTC’s California’s Manufacturing Network to provide direct support to manufacturers negatively impacted by COVID-19.

“We recognize the critical importance of manufacturing companies in our region and are committed to ensuring that they have access to resources that can help them sustain their current operations and be positioned for continued future success,” said Stephen Baiter, Executive Director, East Bay EDA.

With the pandemic dramatically redefining the landscape for California manufacturers, East Bay EDA will work with CMTC and other members of the Network to help businesses survive, recover, and thrive as they navigate through the challenges brought on by the crisis.

East Bay EDA is providing resources and services at no cost to businesses such as: outreach and communications; direct advisory assistance; webinars, virtual peer groups, and more; and reporting impact to the state network. The goal is to meet with manufacturers throughout the region to identify and understand their specific needs, challenges, and opportunities, and provide them with assistance for recovery and growth.

Funding from the CARES Act is supporting this effort to reach manufacturing companies that are facing challenges in the current economic climate. Keith Carson, Chair of East Bay EDA and Vice President of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, said, “it is hard to overstate the importance of the manufacturing sector to maintaining a healthy regional economy.” Supervisor Carson “appreciates the efforts by East Bay EDA to provide resources to support this critical industry.”