About Floor360 & the IMCP Program

The Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) program is one of the US Department of Commerce’s main initiatives to support job creation and accelerate manufacturing growth to make communities more globally competitive by transforming their industrial ecosystems into globally-competitive manufacturing hubs. IMCP does this through the support of long-term community-based economic development strategies designed to attract and expand private investment in manufacturing and promote international trade and exports. The Northwest Georgia region was selected for one of 26 first-round Commerce awards made across the country in 2013. The award enabled the development of an Advanced Manufacturing Strategy initially focused on the region’s established Floor Covering industry. In May 2014, the US Department of Commerce further designated the Northwest Georgia region as one of 12 Manufacturing Communities through the IMCP program. This two-year designation gives organizations that support the industry via the Northwest Georgia’s Advanced Manufacturing Strategy elevated status for certain federally-aligned grant programs.

Using the Designation

Organizations in the 15-county Northwest Georgia region, the areas outlined in the original application, are eligible to apply to use the designation. Only one organization per grant, per period may use the designation. As the lead agency, the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission facilitates selection of these organizations to use the designation via the Northwest Georgia IMCP Consortium.

To apply, please fill out and submit the following form at least three weeks before your grant deadline.

Application Form

Upcoming Grants & Deadlines

Search Grants.gov for your federal grants by keywords or more specific criteria. All discretionary grants offered by the 26 federal grant-making agencies can be found on Grants.gov. The NWGRC needs to receive your form by the Deadline for Consideration date listed in the table in order to be considered for the designation. If approved, applicants will receive a "Letter of IMCP Endorsement" or "Letter of IMCP Support" from the Consortium to include in their grant application. The IMCP Manufacturing Community designation is a new program through EDA; guidance is still being released. Updates regarding the process will be posted here when available.

2015 IMCP Summit

Check out the project facts!

IMCP is helping the Northwest Georgia region cultivate the environment for highly skilled, well-paying advanced manufacturing jobs in the region's solid manufacturing base by transforming the region's industrial ecosystem. The region's floor covering cluster is largely rural and reaches across a large 15-county region.

Celebrate Manufacturing Day, October 7, 2016!

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What’s happening at Floor360?

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Redesignates 12 Manufacturing Communities

From the Department of Commerce, Office of Public Affairs:    WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that 12 diverse communities will be redesignated as Manufacturing Communities as a part of the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP) initiative until 2018. The communities were all initially designated under the first round of […]

Highlights from the Communities that Work Partnership

Northwest Georgia Highlights from the Aspen Institute:  In April of 2015, AspenWSI and the US Economic Development Administration launched the Communities that Work Partnership, aiming to document and accelerate employer-led regional workforce initiatives. As part of the initiative, seven regional partnerships from across the country were competitively selected to participate. Each team, which included a […]

HDCI Workforce Assessment

Floor360 is encouraging all participating businesses to take the High Demand Career Initiative (HDCI) Workforce Assessment. Launched in January 2014, the assessment is an opportunity to evaluate the needs of Georgia businesses, so that Georgia leaders can anticipate the jobs of the future. Please assist with this effort by participating in the assessment. Go to the HDCI Workforce […]

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Participating Federal Agencies

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Have an idea?

Floor360 is interested in learning about new ideas and projects that will help support Advanced Manufacturing in Northwest Georgia.

Let us know!

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AIS brings partners from across business, local government, and academia together to promote sustainable business practices in Northwest Georgia.

Learn More about AIS

HDCI WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT

The High Demand Career Initiative (HDCI) evaluates the needs of Georgia businesses.

Participate in the Assessment