SBDC Hosts Manufacturers Roundtable with Leadership from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

​​On July 29, 2025, the Toledo Small Business Development Center (SBDC), housed within the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, proudly hosted a Manufacturing Roundtable at the Glass City Center in support of the Made in America Manufacturing Initiative. This high-impact event brought together key players from the federal level, regional manufacturers, and economic development partners for an in-depth dialogue on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of American manufacturing.

The roundtable featured leadership from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), including:

• Everett Woodel, Regional Administrator – Great Lakes Region
• Apollo Fuhriman, Regional Administrator – Pacific Northwest Region
• Terry Bolden, District Director
• Andrew Coffield, Regional Advocate/Special Advisor for Manufacturing and Technology – Office of Advocacy
• Clark Bihag, Deputy District Director
• Raymond Graves, Lead Lender Relations Specialist
• Romy Ancog, Lead Export Finance Manager

These federal representatives were joined by leaders from nine regional manufacturing companies who shared firsthand insights on issues such as workforce development, capital access, supply chain disruption, and regulatory challenges. The roundtable format allowed for a candid exchange of ideas, where local voices informed federal perspectives and helped shape the future of SBA resources and support.
 
The event also highlighted the importance of collaboration among regional partners. We were pleased to host the roundtable in partnership with the Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT), the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, and the APEX Accelerator. Their continued dedication to manufacturing innovation and government contracting support is vital to our region’s economic success.
 

​“This roundtable was more than a meeting—it was a meaningful step in aligning federal resources with the real needs of our manufacturing sector,” said Michael Tolson (pictured far right), Vice President, Small Business Services and Toledo Center Director, Small Business Development Center. “It’s encouraging to see national leadership come to the table and listen to our manufacturers.”
 
As the Chamber and our SBDC continue to advocate for a strong, resilient manufacturing base in Northwest Ohio, events like this reinforce the critical role our region plays in advancing American industry.
For more information about the Toledo SBDC and future opportunities for manufacturer engagement, visit https://www.toledochamber.com/small-business-development-center.html .