08/26/2026
Building the Future of American Manufacturing Right Here in Broward County! 🇺🇸⚙️
Honored to attend the inaugural Manufacturing Workforce Expo hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and OpenAI at Atlantic Technical College.
It was inspiring to hear directly from national leadership and local leaders about bridging the gap between education, skilled trades, and small business growth:
Kelly Loeffler (Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration): Highlighted the critical importance of investing in trade students and restoring American manufacturing. She emphasized that small businesses represent 99% of all U.S. businesses and create 2 out of every 3 new jobs in America, underscoring SBA’s role in delivering access to capital so entrepreneurs can hire, scale, and thrive.
Neeta Rancourt (Director, Atlantic Technical College & Technical High School): Welcomed attendees and celebrated the essential role technical education plays in equipping students, apprentices, and small manufacturers to build the next generation of America’s workforce.
Keith Sonderling (Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor): Spoke on the transformative, life-sustaining opportunities created when students gain skilled trade credentials, pointing out how Atlantic Technical College serves as a vital bridge between degree-granting institutions, high schools, and local employers.
Key Industry & Agency Leadership: Reinforced how the SBA, Department of Labor, and local institutions are breaking down silos to align trade curricula directly with the real-world talent needs of local manufacturers—ensuring our students get the high-paying jobs created right here in our communities.
When we invest in technical education, capital access, and strategic workforce pipelines, we empower small business owners and secure a stronger economic future for everyone.
