Manufacturing Day is Back October 20th! Help Over 300 Students Discover Career Opportunities

Help Students See Their Future in Manufacturing — Join Us for Manufacturing Day

Manufacturing is more than a career, it is an opportunity to innovate, build, and make a difference in our community. Manufacturing Day is a chance to open your doors and inspire the next generation of our workforce.

On October 20, over 300 high school students from across Stark County will participate in coordinated manufacturing field trips and plant tours to experience firsthand the exciting career pathways available in our industry.

Now in its 5th year, Manufacturing Day continues to grow because of the incredible support of local manufacturers who are willing to share their facilities, their teams, and their stories with students. These experiences help students see that manufacturing offers rewarding careers in engineering, technology, automation, skilled trades, leadership, and many other fields.

We invite your company to participate by hosting student tours and showcasing what makes your organization unique. This is a great opportunity to:

• Introduce students to your company and career opportunities
• Highlight your employees and workplace culture
• Build awareness of manufacturing careers in our community
• Connect with future talent

The $500 participation sponsorship helps support event coordination, student outreach, and the continued growth of Manufacturing Day. We also welcome sponsorship support from our associate and supporting members who want to invest in workforce development.

Interested in participating? Register here: 2026 Manufacturing Day Host Company Sponsorship and Requirements – Fill out form

We will be reaching out to past participants and new companies over the next month to build this year’s lineup of manufacturers. We would love to have your company be part of this growing tradition!

Questions? Contact Stephanie Werren at:
📧 swerren@stephaniewerren.org
📞 330-418-8297

Thank you for helping us inspire the future of manufacturing!

Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership Expands Regional Reach to Support More Manufacturers

As manufacturing continues to evolve across our region, collaboration and connection matter more than ever. As part of our continued growth and commitment to serving manufacturers, the Stark County Manufacturing Workforce Development Partnership is now doing business as the Stark Area Manufacturing Partnership.

This reflects an expanded footprint: rather than serving Stark County alone, we’re now supporting manufacturers and job seekers across the broader Stark area, extending the same resources, training pipelines, and employer connections to a wider regional network.

Through our partnership with the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), we have been asked to help complete the statewide manufacturing support network by representing Carrollton and Harrison Counties. This expansion helps ensure that every county across Ohio has a connection to resources, workforce development support, and industry partnerships.

Adding these neighboring counties is a natural extension of our mission. Manufacturers do not operate within county lines, workforce challenges, training needs, and industry opportunities often cross regional boundaries. By expanding our footprint, we can help connect more companies with resources, share best practices, and identify opportunities to strengthen manufacturing throughout the area.

We are excited about this opportunity to work alongside OMA and support manufacturers in these additional communities. Whether it is workforce development, talent attraction, training needs, or connecting companies to available resources, the Stark Area Manufacturing Partnership is committed to being a trusted partner for manufacturers throughout the region.

This expansion strengthens our ability to advocate for manufacturing, build stronger partnerships, and continue growing a skilled workforce that benefits all of our communities.

Together, we are building a stronger future for manufacturing, one region, one partnership, and one opportunity at a time.

Ohio Ranked #1

On July 9, 2026, CNBC ranked Ohio as the top state in the country for business. Read the full press release at JobsOhio.com.

Two Weeks of Innovation, Creativity, and Manufacturing Exploration!

We’re wrapping up two incredible weeks of Makers Camp, where four dozen young innovators had the opportunity to explore the world of manufacturing through hands-on learning, teamwork, and creativity.

Throughout the camp, students collaborated on exciting maker projects, including laser-cut catapults, manufacturing teamwork builds, bridge-building challenges, and Rube Goldberg machines. These activities challenged campers to think critically, solve problems, communicate, and experience the power of teamwork — skills that are essential in today’s manufacturing careers.

Campers also connected with local manufacturing professionals, gaining firsthand insight into the industry, learning about career opportunities, and discovering the many pathways available in manufacturing.

At the end of the program, students proudly presented their favorite builds to guests, sharing their designs, explaining their problem-solving process, and receiving valuable feedback from community partners.

The impact of the experience was clear:

• 97% of campers reported feeling connected and supported by adults in their community and school.
• 94% shared that they are interested in exploring jobs connected to the week’s manufacturing theme.

These results highlight the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with industry, build confidence, and see themselves as future innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders.

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers, manufacturing partners, and supporters who helped make these two weeks a success. Together, we are inspiring the next generation of makers and strengthening the future of manufacturing in our community! If you would like to see the recap: Camp Explore: Stark Makers.

Thank you to Sarta for providing the transportation for our camp weeks.

Help Shape the Future of Manufacturing in Our Community: Join Our Board of Directors

Manufacturing continues to be a driving force in our region, creating careers, strengthening our economy, and building opportunities for the next generation. As our industry continues to grow and evolve, we are looking for passionate community and business leaders to join our Board of Directors and help guide the future of manufacturing workforce development.

Serving on the Stark Area Manufacturing Partnership Board is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting initiatives that connect students, job seekers, educators, and employers. Board members play an important role in helping shape programs that address workforce needs, promote manufacturing careers, and strengthen partnerships across our community.

We are seeking individuals who are passionate about manufacturing, workforce development, education, and community growth. Whether you are a manufacturing leader, business professional, educator, or community advocate, your experience and perspective can help us continue expanding opportunities for local employers and future employees.

As a board member, you will have the opportunity to:

• Influence workforce development strategies that support local manufacturers
• Connect with industry leaders and community partners
• Help promote career pathways in manufacturing
• Support programs that prepare the next generation of skilled workers
• Make a lasting impact on our region’s economic future

This is a great opportunity to get involved, share your expertise, and be part of a collaborative effort to ensure manufacturing remains strong in Stark County.

Interested in learning more about joining our Board of Directors? We would love to connect with you. Contact Stephanie Werren at www.starkmanufacturing.org.

Together, we can continue building a stronger future for manufacturing.

JobsOhio Relocation Incentive – $15,000

2026 All Member Meeting Schedule

Meeting times are typically 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM for the member meeting, program updates, and featured presentation, followed by 12:00 to 1:00 PM lunch, networking, and facility tour. Our monthly meetings are designed to provide valuable industry insights, meaningful collaboration opportunities, and firsthand exposure to local manufacturing operations.

If you want calendar invites as placeholders for all meetings, click here and we will send invites for ease of adding to your calendars.