Identifying obstacles and working together to fix them underly the formation of the brand-new Rhea Industrial & Manufacturing Association (RheaIMA), a division of RheaECD and Rhea Economic & Tourism Council, Inc., officials said.
The newly-formed association is designed to put local industry leaders and stakeholders in a room together with a stated goal to brainstorm and implement ways to make life in manufacturing and workforce better – and to identify and prioritize the biggest challenges along the way.
"Atop the list of challenges for industry today are issues like workforce development, changing economic landscapes and the rise of industrial automation and technology, including artificial intelligence," officials said.
"All are recurring talking points on any factory floor around Rhea County," said Alex Green, executive director at RheaECD.
“Over the last year, I’ve had opportunities to talk with hiring managers, plant directors and workforce experts across our community, and it’s become clear everyone is fighting the same battles,” Mr. Green said. “At the same time, we tend to fight these battles in silos, so there’s redundant effort and expense. Our industrial and manufacturing leaders need a place to work, brainstorm, create and share ideas together, and that’s what RheaIMA will be.”
Officials said, "RheaIMA seeks to set members’ energy collectively on issues and to act as an intermediary creating solutions-based partnerships.
"RheaIMA is leading efforts already to create a lifelong learning environment inside Rhea County, where local students can attain everything needed for a high-quality, high-paying career via K-12 public education, Chattanooga State/TCAT career and technical education and bachelor’s and master’s level credentialing at Bryan College.
"Additionally, RheaIMA will serve as an idea incubator, where solutions can be brainstormed, tested, proven and then scaled to the benefit of many."
And while RheaIMA is designed for industry leaders, Mr. Green said all organizations are welcome to apply, especially those offering solutions and leadership in areas important to workforce, training or even areas like transportation or personal finance – any area that impacts Rhea County workers.
“We’re building a platform to make doing business in Rhea County easier, more efficient and ultimately, more enticing than anywhere else,” Mr. Green said. “It’s a big dream which will rely on other sectors getting involved and throwing support behind our largest employers, because without great jobs, we don’t have a sustainable local economy. RheaIMA is job retention and recruitment, all in one.”
View RheaIMA membership pricing and apply online at www.rheaecd.org/join.