At the Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA), we are seeing a recognition among local branding organizations that they can address social inequities through their core programming. In order to highlight this work, we interviewed multiple branding organizations on how they are promoting equitable economic development strategies for local production economies.

Many local branding organizations are working to sustain and grow local economies, and to expand the freedom of making or small scale manufacturing to underrepresented groups. In other words, by working on growing and sustaining small-scale manufacturing, these organizations are making an effort to battle inequality. But in our current age, in which the racial wealth and employment gaps remain as wide as ever.

How are local branding organizations living up to their potential for increasing opportunity for all?