Ready for October Manufacturing Month?
October is National Manufacuring Month and together with our manufacturing sponsors we are ready to celebrate and promote manufacturing career pathways through a variety of programs and initiatives. Our October initiatives include:
Manufacturing Day – On October 2 we will have 300 Stark County high school students tour 2 manufacturing organizations each. The 12 host company/sponsors include:
- Ohio Gratings, Inc.
- RW Screw
- The M.K. Morse Company
- Stark State College
- Ambaflex Manufacturing
- Gregory Industries
- MT Systems
- Timken
- Canton Drop Forge
- Hendrickson North Canton
- Knight Materials Testing
- Diebold-Nixdorf
Free Virtual Lunch and Learn – On October 9 we will present a 45 minute virtual Lunch and Learn titled “Talent Acquisition/Retention Industry Trends and Standards” presented by a resident subject expert from one of our associate member organizations – see the article below for details. The Virtual Lunch and Learn topics were chosen based on the results of the SCMWDP manufacturing and member surveys completed earlier this year.
Educator Tour – On October 13 we will have 30 Stark County educators (also known as student influencers) spend the day touring 4 manufacturing plants while being quizzed on our local, state, and national manufacturing economic impact. The 4 host company/sponsors include:
- Ohio Gratings, Inc.
- The M.K. Morse Company
- Ambaflex Manufacturing
- Hendrickson North Canton
All Member Manufacturing Celebration – Mark your calendar for October 23 for a late afternoon of networking and the SCMWDP manufacturing celebration event at a local establishment with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. More details are available soon!
All County 2nd Grade “Marvelous Manufacturing” book distribution and coloring contest Ohio Gratings graciously wrote, developed and published the first in what we hope is a series of “Marvelous Manufacturing” second grade appropriate books. “Mia’s Grating Adventure”, a 36-page reading and activity book will be distributed to all 4,000 public school second graders in Stark County. The SCMWDP will also hold an all-county 2nd grade coloring contest to reinforce the introduction of manufacturing career pathways to our future workforce! A link to receive a copy of the reading book and download the activity book is HERE
Special thanks and appreciation to our manufacturing sponsors noted above and also to Arrowhead Talent Solutions, Stark Education Partnership, SARTA, the Stark Educational Resource Center and all of you working to promote the many career pathways in manufacturing in Stark County! Get ready to Celebrate!
Membership
Welcome New Members!
The following members are now officially registered with SCMWDP. We look forward to their active participation in our programs and networking opportunities!
Manufacturers
Community Non Profit
Take the 2025 Ohio Manufacturing Survey
We’re inviting all manufacturers to take part in the 2025 Annual Northeast Ohio Manufacturing Survey, led by MAGNET. This quick, confidential survey gathers insights from manufacturers like you to better understand the opportunities and challenges shaping our industry.
Your input matters!
When combined with feedback from across the region, your insight helps:
Guide local, state, and federal policy Shape workforce and business support programs Drive economic development strategies tailored to manufacturers’ needs
Complete the 2025 Ohio Manufacturing Survey HERE
Deadline is September 26, 2025
FREE Virtual Lunch and Learn – Talent Acquisition
Presented on October 9
Join SCMWDP for our first quarterly Free Virtual Lunch and Learn with HR subject expert Eric Murray from Associate Member organization Arrowhead Talent Soultions. Eric was an executive with major manufacturing organizations with a global presence with Timken, Metallus and Arconic.
Topics that will be covered include:
Talent acquisition:
- Making a hiring plan
- A sample recruiting process
- Tips for every step of the hiring process, including kickoff meetings, posting jobs, searching for candidates, conducting interviews, making offers, onboarding, etc
Talent retention:
- Developing an Employee Value Proposition (EVP)
- Integrating your EVP into the Employee Life Cycle
- Enhancing the Employee Experience
Virtual Lunch and Learn Talent Acquisition and Retention Helpful Hints and Industry Standards
October 9
12:15am -1:00pm
Register to receive a calendar invite and the link to access the meeting
$15,000 Incentive Payment Available to EMPLOYERS
SCMWDP is excited to share a new opportunity for manufacturers looking to hire top STEM and technical talent who would need to relocate to Ohio. The JobsOhio Relocation Incentive could help your company attract out-of-state candidates and expand your workforce. We encourage you to review the program soon, as the incentives are offered on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
The official JobsOhio page details eligibility and the process to apply.
Participation Benefits Include:
• $15,000 incentive payment: Received for each qualifying new hire who establishes permanent residency and starts work.
• First-come, first-served: Up to $225,000 total (15 hires) per company until program funds are depleted.
• No strings attached: Direct payment of funds to your company with no restrictions on specific eligible costs.
• Employers of all sizes: Dedicated funding for companies of all sizes to ensure any employer can participate.
Some priority occupations in the program include:
• Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers 51-1011
• Machinists 51-4041
• Tool and Die Makers 51-4111
There are many other High Demand STEM jobs in manufacturing.
Review the full list of priority occupations as it is a very broad application in manufacturing.
SCMWDP supports our manufacturers with training, development, and resources. We are excited to help promote this opportunity to strengthen your workforce with top talent.
2025 Schedule
| Sept 25 | Member Meeting with MAGNET as host at Canton Chamber |
| Oct 2 | Manufacturing Day – Coordinated High School Field Trips |
| Oct 9 | Virtual Lunch and Learn – Talent Acquistion/Talent Retention presented by Eric Murray former HR executive |
| Oct 13 | Educator Tour |
| Oct 23 | All members – Manufacturing awards/industry table night |
| Nov 3-Dec 5 | Second Grade Coloring Contest |
| Nov 14 | Stark County School Counselor meeting at Ohio Gratings |
| Nov 20 | Board Meeting Only (third week of the month) |
| Dec 10 | Board Meeting Only – Strategic Planning |
The SCMWDP newsletter is distributed to member Stark County manufacturers, associate members, education partners, select state officials, local officials and other stakeholders like community-based organizations.
To subscribe and receive other important information from SCMWDP, fill out a FREE member application at SCMWDP Member Application
