NC State Industry Extension Services

Why read about innovation when you can experience it firsthand? ⚙️
The 2026 North Carolina Manufacturing Conference is more than just a meeting—it’s a hub where the brightest minds in the industry collide. From meeting top-tier vendors to swapping strategies with fellow leaders, these two days in Winston-Salem will give you the perspective you need to lead your team forward.
Don't just hear about the future of manufacturing. Be part of it.
🗓️ April 14-15, 2026
📍 Winston-Salem, NC
🔗 Register now: mfgcon.org
The last day to register is April 7!

It's time for the 2026 North Carolina Manufacturing Conference!
Join us in Winston-Salem on April 14-15 to network, learn from industry experts, and take your business to the next level. This is your chance to:
Fuel your growth
Learn actionable strategies and best practices
Improve your operations
Strengthen your performance
Ready to thrive in the manufacturing world?
Visit mfgcon.org to secure your spot!

One of the best reasons to attend the North Carolina Manufacturing Conference 2026?
Learning what’s next for manufacturing.
Gain insights and practical ideas you can bring back to your organization—from continuous improvement and digital transformation to sustainability and workforce strategies.
📅 April 14–15, 2026
📍 Winston-Salem
🔗 mfgcon.org

The 2026 North Carolina Manufacturing Conference is happening in just 21 days!
Strong connections build stronger manufacturing.
At the North Carolina Manufacturing Conference 2026, you’ll meet manufacturers, suppliers, and industry leaders from across the state—all in one place.
🤝 Expand your professional network
🏭 Connect with North Carolina manufacturers
💡 Discover new opportunities and partnerships
Join us April 14–15 in Winston-Salem.
🔗 Learn more and register: mfgcon.org

Work Smarter, Not Harder: AI for Safety Inspections & Training 🚀
What if you could identify hazards before they led to an injury? Or personalize safety training for every employee without adding hours to your week?

The February Time Out For Safety webinar focuses on how AI can handle the "heavy lifting" of safety data, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your people.

Why you should attend:
- Discover tools that automate routine inspections.
- Learn about AI-driven risk assessment models.
-
It’s Free and earns you 1 hour of MESH credit.
Join us for this virtual session: 🗓️ Monday, February 9, 2026 🕙 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Register today: https://ies.ncsu.edu/event/harnessing-artificial-intelligence-webinar/

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence – Webinar | NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions « All Events Harnessing Artificial Intelligence – Webinar February 9 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Free « World Health Expo in Dubai The 21st International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ICCWS) » Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Smarter Safety Programs   FREE Timeout for Safety Webina...

Move beyond "business as usual" with the Baldrige Framework ⚙️
How do high-performing organizations stay ahead of the curve? They use a systems-thinking approach to examine every layer of their operation.

The NCAfE program provides the tools you need to identify gaps, integrate processes, and drive efficiency. Whether you are aiming for the state award or eventually the national Malcolm Baldrige Award, the journey begins with understanding the criteria.

What we’ll cover in this webinar:
✅ The history of Baldrige and NCAfE.
✅ How to apply for the award and the benefits of the application process.
✅ Key criteria elements of the framework.

✅ A look at common tools used by high-performing organizations.
Secure your spot for February 5th: https://ies.ncsu.edu/event/north-carolina-award-for-excellence-north-carolinas-state-baldrige-award-program-webinar/

North Carolina Award for Excellence: North Carolina’s State Baldrige Award Program – Webinar | NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions « All Events North Carolina Award for Excellence: North Carolina’s State Baldrige Award Program – Webinar February 5, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Free « 2026 BTEC Symposium on Applied AI in Biomanufacturing World Health Expo in Dubai » Hosted By: Jennifer Fielder Regional Manager, Charlotte Pr...

What could you accomplish with an extra set of expert hands? 🛠️
We all have those "backburner" projects—the efficiency improvements, cost-saving audits, or technical challenges we just haven’t had the labor to tackle.

NC State’s Rural Works! Internship Program is designed to help rural NC manufacturers clear that backlog by providing dedicated, talented engineering students ready to work this summer.
In our webinar on January 15th, Regional Manager Anna Mangum will walk you through:

✅ How to navigate the hiring process easily.

✅ How to access the $10/hr pay supplement from NC State.
✅ Success stories from previous manufacturing participants.
The deadline to hire is approaching fast. Don’t miss out on these immediate solutions to your workforce shortages.
Sign up for the free webinar: https://ies.ncsu.edu/event/rural-works-internship-program-how-to-hire-an-nc-state-engineering-intern-for-15-an-hour-webinar/

Rural Works! Internship Program: How to Hire an NC State Engineering Intern for $15 an Hour – Webinar | NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions « All Events Rural Works! Internship Program: How to Hire an NC State Engineering Intern for $15 an Hour – Webinar January 15 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Free « The Power of Position – Webinar NC State College of Engineering Battery and Energy Storage Initiative » Hosted By: Lori Benn Regional Mana...

Join us on January 9, 2025, to learn more about the free supplier matching and supply chain optimization services NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions and the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) provide.
January 9, 2025 | 10-11 a.m.
Register to attend: https://ies.ncsu.edu/event/free-supplier-matching-services-webinar/

We have a full line of informative and educational webinars scheduled for 2025!
Check it out: https://ies.ncsu.edu/webinars-2025/
#2025

A new hub for Hurricane Helene Recovery resources is now LIVE.
WNC Strong is a collective of partners who have joined together to create maximum impact for small business owners in our region who were devastated by Hurricane Helene.
The website, wncstrongtogether.org, will serve as a regional hub, showcasing:
- the latest grant opportunities
- recovery loan funds
- upcoming recovery webinars and events
- guidance for navigating available resources
https://www.wncstrongtogether.org/

Explore Asheville's Always Asheville Fund will provide emergency microgrants ($5,000 to $10,000) that can be used for operational or re-opening expenses required for businesses to reopen to the public.
Apply by 11/11/24
https://always.exploreasheville.com/always-asheville-fund-application

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched the Small Business Hurricane Recovery grant program to provide $5 million in funding, distributing $5,000 grants to 1,000 eligible small businesses across the Southeast.
Apply by 11/17/24
https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/solutions/small-business-hurricane-recovery-grant-program

The Appalachian Community Capital grant program offers immediate relief grants up to $25,000 to very small businesses in Dogwood’s 18 counties that experienced physical damage from the storm and have less than $1 million in annual revenue.
Apply by 11/27
https://appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/

NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions Regional Managers and the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership can assist you with finding the resources you need for disaster recovery.
https://ies.ncsu.edu/about/regional-managers/

With so many North Carolinians impacted by , our priority today is to share links to information that can help.

Emergency Support Resources:

North Carolina Department of Public Safety: https://ncstateies.com/ncdps

American Red Cross - https://ncstateies.com/redcross

Disaster Assistance - https://ncstateies.com/readync

Disaster Distress Helpline - 1-800-985-5990

Shelters - https://ncstateies.com/shelters

Traffic + Road Conditions - https://ncstateies.com/DriveNC

NC Emergency Management - https://ncstateies.com/response

Power Outages - https://ncstateies.com/power

County Specific Information - https://ncstateies.com/countyinfo

Relief Organizations:

🤝NC Disaster Relief Fund - https://lnkd.in/eZHK3Bw7

🤝United Way of NC - https://lnkd.in/e-BeaDca

🤝Manna Food Bank Asheville - https://lnkd.in/eiCJ_tzt

🤝Samaritans Purse Helene Relief - https://lnkd.in/eqrmJGbW

🤝Operation Airdrop - https://lnkd.in/e4ugYJj5

🤝 American Red Cross hurricane relief - https://lnkd.in/ekZ9ZdYV

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