Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce celebrates National Manufacturing Day with virtual tours behind the curtain

The Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Sheridan and Johnson County manufactures to showcase what the businesses have to offer customers and potential employees during National Manufacturing Day. 

National Manufacturing Day takes place on the first Friday in October. The Sheridan Chamber of Commerce’s Business Retention & Expansion Committee has worked since June to ensure that manufacturers in the area are highlighted and celebrated amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Traditionally, Manufacturing Day gives businesses an opportunity to pull back the curtain and show residents, potential employees and partners how they produce various products during in-person tours. 

This year, the chamber has moved the tours of the manufacturing business online. Because in-person tours are not available, the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce will conduct a Virtual Showcase of local manufacturers and the inner workings of each operation. 

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, the Sheridan Chamber of Commerce will kick-off National Manufacturing Day with a Facebook Live event, found here.

Manufacturing has taken center stage as Wyoming lawmakers work to diversify the state’s economy as demand for minerals continues to dwindle. 

While appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dixie Johnson emphasized the growing importance of manufacturing in the Cowboy State.

According to Account and Project Manager for Manufacturing Works at the University of Wyoming Tyler O’Daniel, who appeared with Johnson, manufacturing is a $1.94 billion industry in Wyoming and accounts for 5.16% of the state’s gross state product.

This year, Manufacturing Day will highlight and celebrate 12 different manufacturers in Sheridan and Johnson Counties as well as Sheridan College.   

According to Johnson, videos of the tours will be uploaded onto the chamber’s YouTube channel to be viewed at any time. The Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce YouTube channel can be accessed through their website found here.