Newsletter: Medina County Economic Development Corporation

Newsletters > Newsletter articles > June 07

MAGNET

Featured Client of The Advocacy Quarter Second Quarter 2007

MAGNET is the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network. Its mission is to support, educate and champion manufacturing in Northern Ohio with the goal of transforming the region’s economy into a powerful, global player.

MAGNET is the voice for and to the region’s manufacturers, as well as the “one stop shop” for the public and private resources needed by those companies to compete around the world. MAGNET assists manufacturers with entrepreneurial support/incubation, product innovation, strategic market positioning, technology planning, business performance, and global competitiveness.

MAGNET is an Ohio Manufacturing Extension Program (MEP) Center. MEP is a national system of affiliated manufacturing extension centers and field offices located throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Centers are funded by federal, state, local and private resources to serve small manufacturers. Each Center works directly with area manufacturers to provide training, expertise and services tailored to the most critical needs, which range from lean manufacturing and worker training to business practices and implementation of technology innovations.

2006 Client Reported Impacts As a Direct Result of Ohio MEP Assistance:

Increased/Retained Sales: $519,759,000
Cost Savings: $109,195,756
New Investment: $154,042,935
Jobs Created/Retained: 2,108

Opportunity

Every year, MAGNET arranges delegation meetings with Ohio leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate to discuss the importance of manufacturing in Ohio and the impact the Manufacturing Extension Program is having on Ohio business owners. The purpose of the the MEP DC Hill Day is to advocate for the MEP program to ensure its continued funding and support by key House and Senate leadership. LNE Group coordinates the efforts of MAGNET to maximize federal government support for the Manufacturing Extension Program (“MEP”). MAGNET requested LNE Group organize its 2007 MEP DC Hill Day.

Approach

LNE Group professionals were charged with coordinating the entire Hill Day schedule and itinerary, including organizing the meetings with House and Senate leadership and staff, coordinating meals and transportation and creating and organizing the Hill Day packet of hand-out materials.

Value Created

“My colleagues and I believe LNE Group’s efforts made this year’s DC Hill Day the most successful and effective yet,” said Dr. Steve Gage, MAGNET President. In the past MAGNET met almost exclusively with Congressional staff. This year the MAGNET delegation personally met with 13 Representatives and one Senator. When personal meetings were not possible, MAGNET met with high ranking staff. “LNE Group’s diligent planning and personal relationships made this a reality,” said Bill Barnes, MAGNET Vice President, Productivity & Growth.

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