Over the next decade, 3.8 million new manufacturing workers will need to be hired in the U.S. To help bridge that gap, the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Business Retention & Expansion Committee, in partnership with Manufacturing Works, will celebrate the manufacturing industry with free public tours of local manufacturers throughout the month of October 2024.

Since 2017, the Chamber has participated in the annual National Manufacturing Day celebration on the first Friday in October. Known as “MFG Day,” Manufacturing Day is an annual national event to showcase modern manufacturing technology and to help shape people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment. The annual celebration draws attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide.

Other than 2020 and 2021, the Chamber has coordinated public tours of local manufacturers to showcase the rewarding career opportunities available in manufacturing. This year, the Manufacturing Day celebration will be expanded throughout the month of October with more than 10 manufacturers in Sheridan and Johnson counties hosting public tours on various days. The celebration was expanded to a month-long event to provide more opportunities for students and the public to visit the businesses.

“Over the next decade, the manufacturing industry is projected to see a surge in job openings,” stated Teresa Detimore, program development director for the Chamber. “The annual manufacturing celebration provides students and the public the opportunity to see first-hand the innovative work happening right here in our community. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of makers and innovators and show our youth that they can have a rewarding career in the manufacturing industry.”

The schedule of tours and participating manufacturers will be available by Tuesday, Oct. 1, on the Chamber’s website, www.sheridanwyomingchamber.org. For questions, please call the Chamber at (307) 672-2485.