EMMA was formed in 2006 as an Industry Cluster Group through the cooperative efforts of the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, La Crosse Area Workforce Connections, XCEL Energy, Western Technical College, Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center-UW Stout and manufacturers in western and westcentral Wisconsin.

Industry Clusters are geographic concentrations of interconnected companies, specialized suppliers, service providers and associated institutions in a particular manufacturing field that are present in a region. Industry clusters have the ability to increase productivity for companies and facilitate global competitiveness.

Equipment, machinery and metal product manufacturing companies produce products that fuel the regional economy through quantity of exports and employment concentration. These companies provide good wages, benefits and have the greatest potential to import additional capital into the region that is shared with other businesses. Leaders of these companies have come together to form strategic alliances and joint ventures with assistance and support from suppliers as well as regional economic development organizations from the region.