As a member of CAMPS, you will:

• Share in creating a culture of innovation and preparedness
• Be provided access to the most current emerging industries, technologies, products, and processes
• Be supported by an organization that is dedicated to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit that drives business owners.

CAMPS is a resource center bringing together manufacturers, supply chain partners, pre-qualified business development specialists, and strategic partners. 

CAMPS is a not-for-profit membership organization representing small and mid-sized manufacturing businesses working through strategic partnerships in the region.

Evolution of the Center

The Puget Sound region of Washington State includes a significant number of manufacturers. National companies making their home in the area include The Boeing Company and many of its suppliers, Flow International Corporation, Mikron Industries, Starbucks, PACCAR, Oberto Sausage Company, and REI.

The genesis for the formation of the Center was the realization on the part of the City of Kent, Washington and the Kent Chamber of Commerce in 2002 that, without change, the long term economic viability for manufacturers in its area and the entire Northwest region would be severely impacted by global competition. There are more than 3,000 manufacturers in the Puget Sound area, and a high proportion, more than 850, are expected to be interested in the Center and its services.

At that time many Northwest manufacturers were being severely impacted by the downturn in the aerospace industry that occurred following the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attack, which increased focus on the troubled manufacturing sector.

In keeping with its Mission as the representative for business in the local area, the leaders of the Kent Chamber and the City of Kent enlisted a group of influential business and political leaders in the community and began work toward development of its first long-range strategic plan.

Significant Dates and events in the formation of the CAMPS include:

• November 2002 City of Kent and Kent Chamber complete long range strategic plan.
• 2003 Manufacturing Council of the Chamber Board meets to develop plans for the Center
• April 2006 Feasibility Study completed, June 2006 Business Plan completed
• March 2007 - CAMPS formed as a nonprofit corporation and organized its initial Board of Directors
• October 2007, Tom McLaughlin appointed as Executive Director
• January 2008 - Official Launch of CAMPS to recruit members and begin service offerings

.