Douglas County manufacturers are hoping to add a new item to the list of goods they produce — a unified voice.

Area manufacturers and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce recently formed the Douglas County Manufacturers Network. The group had its first meeting Tuesday morning at the Lawrence Hallmark Cards plant, and it plans to meet on a quarterly basis.

Mark Garrett, plant manager of the Hallmark facility and an organizer of the group, said he hoped the organization would grow into a strong advocate for area economic development issues.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to use our collective energy and our collective voice to influence Lawrence in a positive perspective,” Garrett said. “I think being a positive voice for economic development certainly will be one of our goals.”

That could mean the group may take positions on several different types of issues.

“We haven’t really decided what issues we want to tackle, but I know several of us have already expressed an interest in a technology training center,” Garrett said. “Some type of local facility that provides advanced training in electronics and technology.”

Garrett said the group also might take a position on political issues, such as a proposed mandated living wage, which is expected to be a major issue during the upcoming city commission election.

“We haven’t talked about it, but I think it would be important to at least let people know what our opinion is on an issue like that,” Garrett said.

The group also will talk about more technical issues, such as sharing ideas on subjects ranging from plant maintenance to assembly lines.

“Part of the purpose is just to let our manufacturers get to know each other and share ideas about what works and what doesn’t work,” said Lynn Parman, vice president of economic development for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

But Parman said she also believed the group might help in attracting and retaining other manufacturing companies.

“A group like this can be important in trying to attract manufacturers because they want to make sure when they decide to come to a community that they’ll feel supported once they’re here,” Parman said.

Membership in the group is open to any manufacturer in Douglas County. For more information, call the chamber office at 865-4411.