Licking County Celebrates Manufacturing Day 2025

More than 150 business leaders, educators, and community partners gathered at The Reese Center on the campus of The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College to celebrate Manufacturing Day 2025. The event, themed Powered by Manufacturing: Innovation & Impact, showcased the strength of Licking County’s manufacturing community, highlighted industry advancements, and provided updates on initiatives shaping the future of work.

Attendees heard a legislative update from U.S. Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12). Congressman Balderson shared that Ohio is currently ranked #5 in the nation for business-friendly development and called the growth in Licking County “revolutionary,” noting it is drawing significant positive attention in Washington, D.C. He highlighted provisions of the recent Reconciliation Bill including R&D tax credits and an expansion of the child tax credit that will directly benefit manufacturers. Balderson also praised area manufacturers for building clean, innovative products using the latest technologies, while providing high-wage, high-opportunity careers for residents and those looking to move into central Ohio.

The program continued with a local manufacturing panel discussion featuring executives from Illuminate USA, Freepoint Eco-Systems, and THK Manufacturing of America, Inc. Panelists shared how robotics, automation, and digital transformation are reshaping the industry. Highlights included Illuminate USA’s production of 10 million solar panels in just 14 months at its 3 million square foot Pataskala facility - the largest solar panel manufacturing operation in the western hemisphere. Freepoint Eco-Systems spotlighted its $300 million recycling facility in Newark Industrial Park, now the largest of its kind in the world and employing 100 people to recycle hard-to-recycle plastics.

The keynote address was delivered by Jeremy Banta, Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at Columbus State Community College and retired Army Lieutenant. His presentation, Connecting the Dots: Supply Chains, Manufacturing, and the Future of Work, focused on how artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are transforming supply chains and the manufacturing landscape requiring new approaches to workforce readiness, innovation, and resiliency.

Additional program updates included remarks from the new Executive Director of Central Ohio Manufacturing Partners (COMP), who shared an overview of industry sector partnerships supporting regional manufacturers. The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology also announced the upcoming Factory Hub: How People Make Things, an immersive exhibit that will launch in 2026. The Factory Hub will introduce students and visitors to manufacturing processes and local career opportunities through interactive games, role-playing, and hands-on demonstrations.

“The growth, innovation, and collaboration we are seeing in Licking County’s manufacturing sector is extraordinary,” said Jennifer McDonald, President & CEO of the Licking County Chamber of Commerce. “Events like Manufacturing Day shine a light on the role manufacturing plays not only in our local economy, but also in preparing the next generation for high-wage, high-demand careers.”