Portland, Oregon’s initiative to rejuvenate footwear manufacturing in the U.S. has gained crucial backing from two industry leaders.

Eric Liedtke, former Adidas brand president, and Noel Kinder, former Nike chief sustainability officer, have joined the $125-million Made in Old Town project. Liedtke, known for his work on Adidas’ Futurecraft program and commitment to reducing ocean plastics, brings significant expertise in circular sourcing and material innovation.

Kinder, who led Nike’s environmental initiatives, emphasized the need to transform global supply chains, believing that Made in Old Town can play a pivotal role in this shift.

The project aims to revitalize nine buildings across four city blocks in Portland’s historic Old Town, converting them into a campus for sustainable footwear and sportswear production.

This transformation not only aims to bring back domestic manufacturing but also to set new standards for sustainability and innovation in the industry.

With the support of Liedtke and Kinder, the Made in Old Town initiative is set to become a model for future manufacturing efforts, blending sustainability with cutting-edge innovation.