LEWISTON – For just a minute, Thursday’s chamber breakfast had the feel of a tent revival.

“Close your eyes for three seconds and picture manufacturing,” said Lisa Martin, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of Maine. “What conjures up in your mind? Often, it’s not the most positive or accurate image.”

Undoubtedly, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce members recalled massive lay-offs and plant closures, especially at paper mills, which drained almost 20,000 manufacturing jobs from the state between 2000 and 2005.

But that’s old news, said Martin, especially here in Androscoggin County, which has seen a net gain in manufacturing jobs during that same time span. Not only that, but average monthly wages for manufacturers also have risen from $2,801 to $3,387.

“We need to support manufacturing,” Martin told crowd at the Ramada Inn. “These jobs have high pay and excellent career opportunities in engineering, sales and marketing and IT.”

It’s a message she’s been delivering across the state since a yearlong study with the Department of Labor showed a disconnect between the public perception of manufacturing (it’s dying) and what was actually happening in facilities across the state (it’s thriving.)

Martin connected the dots: manufacturing’s negative image led to lack of skilled workers as schools couldn’t justify trade classes any longer. Federal money once funneled to manufacturers for worker training began to slow as reports of declining jobs were projected for 10-15 years. The upshot: managers can’t fill jobs, despite good pay and benefits.

But in a statewide survey conducted last year, 25 manufacturers reported 1,200 anticipated job openings into 2012. Overall sales and distribution numbers were up, and production and output increased significantly. Manufacturing contributed $5.4 billion to Maine’s gross domestic product so far this year, its highest point in 10 years.

The industry is growing, but it needs help.

“Years ago, we had a strong political voice and huge number of employees … we had a strong voice in policymaking, impact and image,” she said. “Now, we’re smaller companies. How can we have a stronger voice in Maine?”

To that end, the association issued a “call to manufacturers” to develop strategic alliances among all the manufacturing sectors in the state: paper, marine, IT and others. Until last year, the association was the Maine Metal Products Association, but during the DOL study, realized about half its membership were metal fabricators and the rest in different industries.

“That’s why the association expanded and changed its name,” said Martin. “We have ample opportunity to work together so the voice of manufacturing stays a united voice in Maine.”

Now the group is exploring cluster initiatives in the aerospace and aviation industry, as well as offering support services such as business planning, ISO certifications, training and marketing assistance to all manufacturers. In Lewiston-Auburn, about 30 local companies are members.

“We never had an association before,” said Steve Boulet of WahlcoMetroflex, who attended the breakfast as a chamber member and an MAM member. “I’m very optimistic that this will do wonders.”