The Mid-FL Regional Manufacturers Association (MRMA), was initially formed in 1992 as a means of local manufacturing executives to meet and network with each other. Membership was limited to manufacturing company presidents, general managers, and chief operations managers. It was a small group of people, but they were successful in legally setting up the organization, drawing up by-laws, and sparking interest in a regional manufacturing organization.

In the mid 1990’s, the organization formed an alliance with CF – College of Central Florida and focused much more on educational programs and tours of local manufacturers. The monthly meeting and tours were opened to any employee of member companies. MRMA became a resource to all departments within member companies.

In 2004, MRMA became much more active in legislative issues in Tallahassee and Washington. MRMA Members participated in lobbying efforts at the local, state, and national levels to improve the business environment for manufacturing in Florida.

In 2012 MRMA formed a partnership with CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, the local workforce board, which allowed MRMA to hire an Executive Director.

Besides managing the business of the association, this position works much more closely with our members and all manufacturers and distribution centers in Citrus, Levy, and Marion Counties to understand their training requirements, helps identify training providers, and helps to identify grants to assist the member company in funding the training.

The Executive Director also directs outreach activities to schools regarding careers in manufacturing and logistics to help fill the pipeline with future employees for the manufacturing and logistics industries.

Between 2014 and 2020, due to the changing needs of the communities we serve, the association opened membership to logistics and supply chain providers, and began providing services to members and strategic partners in Sumter County.

Today, MRMA is a robust association of manufacturing, distribution, logistics, and supply chain companies, working with strategic partners including education and workforce development partners, for the success of everyone involved.