In an effort to “rev up” apparel production in New York City, the New York Economic Development Corporation and CFDA have earmarked $14M “for a Local Production Fund and workforce development programming.”
As reported by WWD, all “New York City factories and all U.S. designers” will be eligible to apply for grants from the fund, and the recipients will be determined by a CFDA-headed committee. If selected, the manufacturers “will receive credits to be used for production runs of participating designers.”
The CFDA is also partnering with “the Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center to assess the sector in order to create customized programs based on citywide needs,” which will include “technical instruction, apprenticeships and advanced technology training.” There are also plans to “offer workforce programs for manufacturers’ employees with varying backgrounds, experience and education.”
For anyone into American manufacturing and or indie fashion labels (ie, you, if you’re reading this), this is great news.
You can read more about it at WWD.
