Did you know that October is officially Nebraska Manufacturing Month? Last Tuesday, Nebraska governor Dave Heineman and Nebraska Chamber of Commerce President Barry Kennedy signed the official proclamation to make this month a time to celebrate the outstanding industry that does so much to make Nebraska successful.

“October is a time to reaffirm our commitment to Nebraska’s manufacturing base and to the industry which has helped our state become one of the strongest in the nation,” at the ceremony. “To grow our manufacturing base, we must make the most of opportunities which will help communities attract investments that ensure long-term growth. And we must make a concerted effort to develop the workforce needed by manufacturers. The timing of the announcement couldn’t be more apropos, considering that Nebraska’s manufacturing sector is worth $12.5 billion to the national economy, said the

So make this month your chance to go on a factory tour, even if you missed Manufacturing Day. Look at extracurriculars to grow STEM skills, and maybe donate what you can to that initiative supporting new research facilities at educational institutions. There are all sorts of exciting manufacturing events and happenings this month, and it’s up to you to take advantage of them!

Coming up this week, stop by the which is completely free and open to the public. Hosted in the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center in Grand Island, the show features any and all products, services, and equipment that relate to the manufacturing or construction industries. The show runs on October 8-9 and is a great chance to meet & greet with architects, buyers, contractors, engineers, and more!

The show also happens to coincide with the Nebraska Chamber Manufacturing Summit on October 8 from 11:30am to 4:15pm. The summit covers presentations from experts who will detail and analyze objectives of successful manufacturing and distribution companies that are growing steadily, as well as an important review of Nebraska legislature work. Additionally, the winners of the 2014 Nebraska Innovation in Manufacturing Award will be announced! If you know you’re interested in manufacturing or the policy and government in relation to the industry, you won’t want to miss out on this. The summit luncheon does cost $25, which is well worth it for the incredible information and networking you’ll find there. To register, call 402-346-8003.

Keep an eye on event calendars in and your hometown to see if there are any tours or manufacturing-related activities that could be valuable to you. Sure, October is the month of pumpkin patches and apple cider– but also make it a month in honor of growth and developing skills that will benefit not only Nebraska, but the entire nation as well, from our manufacturing outputs.

Questions? Comments? Something we missed? As always, leave a comment in the section below or send us a message anytime.

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