In celebration of Manufacturing Day on Friday Oct. 2, various manufacturers and technical education entities in south Kansas are hosting events focused on connecting with youth to ensure the ongoing prosperity of the manufacturing industry.

Although Wichita State isn’t hosting a formal event, the university is significantly involved in the growth and prosperity of the region’s manufacturing industry and encourages the community to participate in the events listed at www.mfgday.com.

Events include tours, exhibits and demonstrations at Butler Community College, Certainteed, Cowley First, Fort Scott Community College, Hill Manufacturing, Hospira, The Bradbury Co., Viega LLC and Wichita Area Technical College.

Recently, Sedgwick County officials signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 2 as Manufacturing Day, encouraging the community to join in recognizing the value of citizens employed in manufacturing. The city of Wichita will sign a similar proclamation on Oct. 6, declaring October as Manufacturing Month in Wichita.

According to the Brookings Institution, south Kansas is, “the most manufacturing specialized” region in the United States with more than 30 percent of regional jobs in manufacturing. Manufacturing accounts for 20 percent of jobs in Sedgwick County, with an average annual wage of more than $67,000 per person.

“Expanding the size and competitiveness of regional manufacturers is a prerequisite for achieving broad-based growth and prosperity,” said Debbie Franklin, director of strategic university initiatives at Wichita State. “Manufacturers and workers who adopt innovative technologies increase productivity, enhance living standards and are crucial to the future prosperity of the region.”

These Manufacturing Day events are taking place, in part, due to the region’s designation as “manufacturing community” by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.

In 2014, through the efforts of Wichita State University and several partners, the south Kansas region joined the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership, allowing the region elevated consideration for a portion of $1.3 billion in federal funding through 2016. Since this designation, Wichita State has received $2.9 million in manufacturing-related funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration.

Wichita State University encourages entities in south Kansas to host Manufacturing Day events and register at www.mfgday.com. The website also includes many useful tips, tools and guidelines for hosting. The following events will take place on Friday, Oct. 2.

• Tours, Cowley First, Winfield, KS
• Exhibits and live demonstrations Oct. 2, Fort Scott Community College, , Fort Scott
• Open house, CTE Day at Butler Community College,, Andover
• Facility tours/expo/job fair, Viega LLC, , McPherson
• Tours of the National Center for Aviation Training Wichita Area Technical College, Wichita

Additional events will occur throughout the month of October.

• Oct. 6, tours and equipment demonstrations, The Bradbury Co. Inc., Moundridge
• Oct. 6, Manufacturing Day Proclamation, city of Wichita
• Oct. 20-22, seminars and exhibits ,Wichita Industrial Trade Show, Wichita
• Oct. 23, plant tour and presentation, Hospira, McPherson
• Oct. 28, open house and tour, Certainteed, McPherson
• Oct. 29, tour and presentation, Wichita Area Technical College, Wichita

For more information on any of these events, visit http://www.wichita.edu/j/?4281.