Episode 18: Kansas’ Proven Strategies to Unlock Manufacturing Potential with Debra Franklin​

Episode Overview:

Debra Franklin, Associate Vice President at Wichita State University and a board member of AMCC, joins Matt to discuss the pivotal role of advanced manufacturing in Kansas and its significance to the broader American economy. Kansas boasts a manufacturing employment rate twice the national average, largely due to its specialization in advanced and highly regulated industries like aerospace, heavy equipment, and agricultural machinery. We talk about the necessity of stakeholder collaboration, involving both public and private partners in strategic planning and data analysis to ensure sustainable economic development. Franklin shares insights from Kansas’s experience, emphasizing the importance of asset mapping and rigorous analysis of regional competencies. This process helps regions understand their core capacities and areas needing development, enabling them to compete effectively.

Debra also highlights the current era of significant federal interventions aimed at revitalizing American manufacturing and how the impact of major legislative actions like the American Rescue Plan, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act is being felt in Kansas. And, we learn a bit more about her personal journey and commitment to meaningful work in economic development. Thanks for coming on the pod, Debbie!

AMCC’s podcast is made possible in part by the expertise of Mike McAllen, founder of Podcasting4Associations. Are you part of an association also looking to produce a podcast? Let us get you in touch with Mike.

Thank you to the Economic Development Administration for their partnership in producing this podcast. This podcast was prepared in part using Federal funds under award 3070145 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Participants:

• Debra Franklin, Associate Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Industry Engagement, Wichita State University
• Matt Bogoshian: Executive Director, American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative and host of the podcast.

💡 Key Ideas:

• Federal Initiatives: Programs like BBBRC and Tech Hubs help regions self-organize and use data to strengthen manufacturing ecosystems.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Involving public and private partners in strategic planning and data analysis ensures sustainable regional economic development.
• Data-Driven Planning: Asset mapping and rigorous analysis of regional strengths and gaps are crucial for effective economic planning.
• Sustaining Capacity: Building ongoing capacity through strategic funding and stakeholder engagement is essential for long-term success.

🔗Links to Learn More:

• Find Debra on Linkedin.
• Follow AMCC on Linkedin.
• Find Matt on Linkedin.