Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, Lt. Governor Brad

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NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release

Contact: Kayla Church
Idaho Commerce
208.334.2470
kayla.church@commerce.idaho.gov

Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, Lt. Governor Brad Little Announce October as Idaho Manufacturing Month

The proclamation signing took kicks of a variety of events across the state to highlight opportunities in the manufacturing sector

BOISE, Idaho—Thursday, October 1, 2015—On Thursday, October 1, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter proclaimed October “Idaho Manufacturing Month.” During a signing ceremony in the Governor’s Ceremonial Office, Lt. Governor Brad Little was joined by members of the Southwest Idaho Manufacturers’ Alliance (SWI-MA) to kick of a series of events that will take place around the state on Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2.

“It is important that we acknowledge manufacturing businesses in our state and the essential role these businesses play in providing good jobs for our citizens,” said Lt. Governor Little. “Manufacturing is the road to economic growth and foundation of our country. We look forward to new companies opening their manufacturing operations here and celebrate our longtime and newer manufacturers in Idaho.”

National Manufacturing (MFG) Day takes place annually on the first Friday of October with tours and open houses at manufacturing establishments around the country. MFG Day events are designed to expand the public’s knowledge of manufacturing and improve public perception of manufacturing career opportunities.

“If you have a family member, friend, neighbor or acquaintance who works in manufacturing, I encourage you thank them for their hard work in honor of Idaho Manufacturing Month,” said Lt. Governor Little.

In honor of Manufacturing Day 2015, SWI-MA will present “The New Face of Idaho Manufacturing” during the free MFG Day kickoff event at Scentsy Commons on Thursday, October 1 from 3-7 p.m.

The Scentsy Kickoff event is open to anyone interested in manufacturing and will feature complimentary food & drinks, informative breakout sessions, interesting manufacturing exhibits and presentations by Idaho public and private sector leaders. Attendees can RSVP for the Kickoff Event by visiting www.mfgday.com and clicking in to the SWI-MA Event at Scentsy.

The Kickoff Event will be followed on Friday, October 2 with facility tours and open houses around the state that are listed on the MFG Day Website at www.mfgday.com. Current tours in Idaho & the Inland Northwest include:

  • Intermountain 3D, Cinder Winery & Payette Brewing in Garden City
  • Rekluse, ACECO & Usful Glass in Boise
  • In the Ditch Towing Products in Mountain Home
  • Plexus, TECenter & House of Design in Nampa
  • Johnson Thermal Systems, Inc. in Caldwell
  • Idaho Steel & Intermountain 3D in Idaho Falls

Parents and students are encouraged to attend the kickoff event and local tours to learn about today’s modern manufacturing environment and the outstanding opportunities available in manufacturing. Attendees can find an updated list of tours and RSVP at www.mfgday.com.

“There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology,” said Steve Hatten, the executive director of TechHelp, Idaho’s Manufacturing Extension Partner. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56. Between now and 2020, there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers who will need to be replaced.”

The “New Face of Idaho Manufacturing” includes new companies such as Intermountain 3D, Cinder Winery, Rekluse Motorsports, Melni Connectors, In the Ditch Towing Products, Clif Bar and Chobani; new technologies such as 3D printing/additive manufacturing; new skills in programming, brewing, wine making, CNC and SolidWorks; and new workers who are choosing careers in processing, engineering and programming.

About SWI-MA

The Southwest Idaho Manufacturers’ Alliance (SWI-MA) was founded in the fall of 2013 through efforts of local manufacturing company executives and public sector partners recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities of manufacturing in Southwest Idaho. SWI-MA is a membership organization focused on nurturing an environment of knowledge sharing, innovation and sustainable growth for manufacturing in the region. To learn more, visit their website at www.swi-ma.org. More information on Manufacturing Day is available at www.mfgday.com.

Group Photo

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