The Daytona Beach City Commission issued a proclamation Oct. 1 declaring October 2025 as Manufacturing Month in recognition of the sector’s local economic role, and representatives of the Volusia Manufacturing Association used the presentation slot to describe workforce programs and upcoming events.

Mayor Derek Lehi Henry read the proclamation noting that manufacturing supports more than 12,000 jobs in Volusia County and contributes more than $1.3 billion annually to the county’s economy, with an average wage cited in the proclamation. The proclamation urged citizens to recognize local manufacturers.

Jessica (last name on record: not specified), speaking for the Volusia Manufacturing Association (VMA), described the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program in partnership with Daytona State College. FAME places students with manufacturers for three days of work and two days of classroom instruction; after five semesters students earn an advanced manufacturing technology degree from Daytona State. The presenter said graduates have been hired at competitive wages and cited an example of a recent graduate now earning about $95,000.

The VMA representative described broader VMA activities — plant tours, apprenticeships, robotics competitions, scholarships and workforce training — and said Volusia County counts over 500 manufacturers, most of them small firms. She promoted the sixth annual Robot Brawl at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Oct. 11; advance tickets were described as $5 per person or $10 per family and double the day of the event.

Commissioners thanked the presenter for outreach and partnerships with schools and youth programs. The proclamation and presentation highlighted the city’s interest in workforce development and industry engagement.