A new $5 million federal grant aims to help more women break into high demand, male dominated industries like construction and cybersecurity in Houston. With hands on training and apprenticeships, programs like WANTO are paving the way for women to build rewarding, well-paying careers no four-year degree required.

The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, said Monday that its manufacturing index rose to 54.2 last month, up from a June reading of 52.6. The index dipped below 50 in March, indicating a recession in manufacturing as the coronavirus pandemic shut down factories. Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM manufacturing survey committee, said it was encouraging that positive comments from survey participants were running two to one ahead of more cautious comments. Of 18 manufacturing industries, 13 reported growth in July led by wood products and furniture and related products. We expect manufacturing to grow gradually ahead with botched management of the pandemic and ongoing virus-related uncertain set to constrain activity.