In 2024, we faced a clear truth: our mission had outgrown our name. We’ve been known as the Urban Manufacturing Alliance for more than a decade. But our work now reaches far beyond cities and into small towns, suburbs, and entire regions, with the mission of connecting people who make, repair, grow, and build the things their communities rely on.
Today, small manufacturers, local producers, and the ecosystems around them are navigating a converging wave of challenges: widening inequality, volatile local and global economies, and a climate crisis that demands rapid emissions cuts alongside urgent preparation for disruption.
Meeting this moment calls for bold, creative, and compassionate action rooted in the skills, ingenuity, and care that producers bring to their communities every day. We are stepping into our next chapter as Mechanism.
Our new name reflects our commitment to climate action, community strength, and an inclusive production economy that works for everyone. We’re here to help small manufacturers and local producers sustain their craft, strengthen their livelihoods, and ensure their communities are ready for the challenges and opportunities a changing world brings.