Member Highlight: Idaho Manufacturing Alliance and Forging Futures Idaho

Thank you to Hailey Huston, Marketing and Communications Specialist at Idaho Manufacturing Alliance and Forging Futures Idaho, for your continued partnership and service to the nonprofit community!

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IMA Mission: ​A membership organization focused on knowledge sharing, collaboration and advocacy to influence a manufacturing environment that creates benefits for the industry and the community. Forging Futures: Forging Futures is a workforce-pipeline initiative that focuses on creating and promoting manufacturing career opportunities for Idahoans through purposeful education and connections with industry partners, resources, and community support.

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Q: How has your organization evolved over the years?

​The Idaho Manufacturing Alliance was created 6 years ago - with the intent to be a resource for collaboration within the industry. We were created by manufacturers, for manufacturers, and still do our best to focus on what the industry would want from our organization. We have grown to a staff of 4 employees and host a variety of events, are continually improving and adding to our member benefits, and have established Forging Futures which is a talent pipeline initiative. Our membership has seen continual growth across the years, and as of January 1st we represent the entire state of Idaho (previously - we served only Southwest Idaho).

Q: What are the biggest rewards or what do you enjoy most about the work that you do?

​Our members value our networking events and opportunities. The Idaho Manufacturing Alliance provides a point-of-contact for manufacturers to find business partnerships and more. It is rewarding to know that the benefits we provide are genuinely valued by our members, and support the industry.

Q: Is there something that surprised you about working for a nonprofit?

​We are small but mighty! The Idaho Manufacturing Alliance operates as a small team - but our leadership is a force to be reckoned with and we are constantly pushing to do as much as we can with the resources we have to support the manufacturing industry.

Q: What is one thing you wish your donors/general public knew about nonprofit work?

​The manufacturing industry is a big part of Idaho's economy! We are #1 in GDP, #4 in employment, and the workforce has a 14.5% 7-year projected growth rate. The opportunities for work in manufacturing are abundant - whether you are interested in pursuing a skilled trade, engineering, management, human resources, or something else!

Q: What have you benefited most from INC membership?

​Your guys' newsletter is great! I got to participate in a social media marketing webinar series last year that was beneficial to me! Some of it was repeat information but I actually got good info from you guys that I use (and that's not always the case with online webinars)! :) Keep up the good work!