On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, various manufacturers gathered at the Cooley Group’s Pawtucket headquarters for a stimulating conversation on the current state of Rhode Island manufacturing.

The Pawtucket Manufacturers’ Forum, presented by Polaris MEP and the Pawtucket Foundation, brought together industry leaders to share their experiences within government, operations, and advocacy for business. Panelists included:

• Dan Dwight, President and CEO, Cooley Group
• Gabe Amo, Congressman
• Layne Mayer, CEO, Amerisewn
• Dave Chenevert, Executive Director, RIMA

The morning began with moderators Gaetan Kashala, Executive Director of the Pawtucket Foundation, and Matt Watson, Center Director of Polaris MEP, introducing themselves and the panelists. The program then kicked off with a lively discussion regarding Rhode Island’s manufacturing competitiveness and how tariffs are impacting the Ocean State’s local businesses before transitioning into a conversation about AI and workforce sustainability.

Congressman Gabe Ano stressed the importance of a lifetime of learning to continue the legacy of manufacturing companies, with Dave Chenevert agreeing that more money needs to be put into career technology courses in education.

The last portion of the mornings’ program addressed questions from attendees, allowing the audience and panel to go back and forth with ideas and making for a successful forum.