Establishing a local Manufacturer's Association: The Vaughan Experience

Abstract

One of the vital components of community development is the growth, expansion, and retention of existing industries and corporations. It is estimated that between 65-80% of all jobs come from existing businesses. The rapid decline of the manufacturing sector in the Greater Toronto Area due to micro and macro economic factors let to the creation of the “Vaughan Manufacturers Association (VMA)”by the City of Vaughan and Central East Branch of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Technology (MITT). The City of Vaughan was one of the fastest growing communities within the GTA at that time and provided the ideal setting for a local manufacturers association. The dynamic and diversified manufacturing base, and the recent establishment of the Economic Development Department also indicated the commitment by the City to foster local economic development. The VMA was established to assist and promote the manufacturing sector by providing business enterprises a platform to network, share best practices, and resolve common difficulties in a non-competitive environment. The goal of the VMA was to promote the growth of existing industries and enhance their individual global competitiveness. This article briefly walks us through the steps required to establish a local manufacturers association.