Manufacturing professionals in Northern Colorado are losing sleep over President Trump’s on-again, off-again tariff policies, and, on Wednesday, they came together in Loveland to share those concerns with Gov. Jared Polis.
“It’s just so overwhelming right now,” said Darren Murphy, owner of Loveland’s Push Industries, a company that makes high-end mountain bike parts. “Even in a room like this, when you’re talking to other people, we all have a sense of urgency to do something, but we’re not sure what it is.”
Murphy was one of a few dozen manufacturers who gathered at Loveland’s Forge Campus for a knowledge roundtable hosted by NoCo Manufacturing Partnership, a regional advocacy group. Also in attendance were local economic and workforce development officials and trade experts from across the state.
Wednesday’s discussion was dominated by concerns over uncertainty around the tariffs and how the unpredictable policy shifts are impacting manufacturing supply chains and the existing workforce. Many of the business owners said that they are scrambling to find alternative suppliers and revise their processes, alongside trying to keep their businesses running.
“It’s not like we have a lot of time to sit back and think about how we can restructure,” Murphy said. “I’m trying to figure out how to get stuff shipped by Friday.”
Polis wasn’t able to offer direct solutions to the tariff situation, but did address the business owners’ concerns about preparing their workforce for the uncertainty and a potential pivot to more homegrown manufacturing.
“The place where the state’s most involved is kind of skills and how people get them,” Polis said. “So we’re interested in working at the community college and high school levels … in how kids can get the skills they need.”
He also urged manufacturers to reach out to their congressional delegation for assistance and advocacy at the federal level.
Marcie Willard, economic develeopment directof for the city of Loveland, speaks about resources they have available Wednesday during a NoCo Manufacturing Partnership knowledge roundtable at The Forge in Loveland. (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald).In addition to Polis, representatives from the Denver-based World Trade Center fielded questions from manufacturers and local economic development directors from the county and municipal level offered services such as networking and training programs.
“We have a lot of information. We want to connect you with those resources, so reach out to us,” said Loveland Economic Development Director Marcie Willard.
After the roundtable, Murphy said his uncertainty over the tariffs hadn’t quite gone away, but he felt better hearing about potential resources available to businesses in his situation and knowing that the governor takes their concerns seriously.
“It wasn’t just a photo op,” Murphy said. “I felt like he was switched on and listening.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Tariff fears dominate Loveland roundtable with Gov. Polis )
Also on site :