Alongside our partners at the South Florida Manufacturers Association, we’re advocating for relief from burdensome cybersecurity mandates at Florida Manufacturing Days in Tallahassee.
Local manufacturers are facing a critical challenge with the impending compliance deadline for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). While vital for national security, this federally mandated requirement poses a significant financial and logistical burden, particularly for smaller manufacturers holding Department of Defense contracts. With the deadline looming at the end of this year, these businesses are struggling to meet the stringent requirements.
To address this urgent issue, a delegation of South Florida manufacturers, led by Matt Rocco, President of the South Florida Manufacturing Association (SFMA), will travel to Tallahassee for Florida Manufacturing Days. This annual event provides a crucial platform for manufacturers and legislators to discuss the industry’s challenges directly. The SFMA delegation will ensure that the voices of South Florida manufacturers, including those in Martin County, are heard loud and clear regarding the crippling impact of the CMMC mandate.
“While we understand and support the need for robust cybersecurity in defense contracting, the current implementation of CMMC places an undue burden on smaller manufacturers,” said William Corbin, BDBMC Executive Director. “The cost and rapid timeline for compliance threatens the viability of these businesses and, ultimately, our vital manufacturing base. That is why we are supporting the SFMA delegation to Tallahassee to advocate for sensible solutions and ensure that our legislators understand the real-world impact of this mandate.”
Corbin and Ted Astolfi, CEO of the Economic Council of Martin County, urge the entire business and manufacturing community to support this critical effort. They are calling on businesses to join them in sending a unified message to Tallahassee by signing a letter of support that will accompany the SFMA delegation. A strong show of solidarity will improve the manufacturing community’s voice and demonstrate the widespread concern about the CMMC mandate.
“We must stand together and make our voices heard,” stated Astolfi. “The future of our local manufacturing sector depends on it. We encourage all businesses to join us in this vital advocacy effort. The economic health of Martin County is closely tied to the success of our manufacturers. We must support them in navigating these complex regulatory challenges. Strong support from the business community will send a powerful message to our legislators.”.
Here is how you can help show your support:
Click here for a link to a template letter of support.
Deadline to send a letter of support: Friday, January 31
Email your letter of support to inez@bdbmc.org
For questions or to learn more, contact Inez van Ravenzwaaij, Director, Programs and Partnerships, at 772-872-2660
