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 on a monthly basis. 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. Eventually, the Mid-Florida Regional Manufacturing Institute at CF was formed and the number of classes to meet the needs of local manufacturing companies was greatly expanded. Along with these changes, the monthly meeting and tours were opened to any employee at member companies. MRMA has become a resource to all departments within the member companies.

In 2004, MRMA joined the Manufacturers Association of Florida and 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 Executive Director, Rob Adamiak. Besides managing the business of the association, this position worked closely with MRMA members and all manufacturers and distribution centers in Citrus, Levy, and Marion Counties to understand their training requirements, help to identify training providers, and helped to identify grants to assist the member company in funding the training. The Executive Director also directed outreach activities to schools regarding careers in manufacturing and logistics to help fill the pipeline with future employees for the manufacturing and logistics industries.

In 2018, Kathleen Betz joined the organization as the Executive Director and together with an esteemed Board of Directors, Mid-FL Regional Manufacturers Association is truly an advocate of manufacturing in Marion, Citrus, Levy and Sumter counties.

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.