Quarterly Council Meetings:
At a Glance
Connecting leaders in industry, education, and community.
Q126 HTC Overall Meeting Highlights March 13th 2026
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Welcomed Impact Washington as HTC’s newest member, strengthening regional alignment across manufacturing, workforce, and innovation partners
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Featured three guest presentations showcasing momentum in advanced manufacturing, startup innovation, and technical education across Southwest Washington
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Continued HTC’s commitment to supporting regional workforce and STEM pathways, including annual donations to organizations advancing youth, veterans, and community development
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Reinforced HTC’s role as a connector across industry, education, and economic development, with members collaborating on upcoming events and regional initiatives
Guest Speaker Spotlight
Dave Barcos
North Bank Innovations
Tina Jenkins
Clark College Mechatronics
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Represented Washington’s official NIST MEP center supporting manufacturers statewide
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Emphasized cybersecurity readiness and CHIPS Act funding as critical for regional competitiveness
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Highlighted $67B manufacturing GDP and $240K productivity per worker in Washington
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Announced the Smart Manufacturing Forum in October and investments in Clark College maker spaces
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Introduced North Bank Innovations as a nonprofit incubator for early-stage, high-impact startups
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Shared plans for an Innovation Lab at The Vic to support hard tech prototyping
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Highlighted partnerships with Sigma and Simplexity to integrate product development and business readiness
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Called out growing demand for interns and technical talent in AI, microgrids, and drone systems
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Presented updates on Clark College’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM) expansion
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Shared success stories from STEM internships and student engagement in technical programs
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Emphasized equity and inclusion initiatives within mechatronics and workforce development
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Reinforced alignment between education and industry to build next-generation manufacturing talent
Maddie Merton
Impact Washington
Maddie Merton
“The next generation of manufacturing will be built through regional collaboration and cooperation.”
Dave Barcos
“Southwest Washington is experiencing strong momentum with new leadership, increased collaboration, and a shift away from Portland’s shadow.”
Tina Jenkins
“Building pathways to success for all students is our top priority.”