Plattsburgh, NY – November 4, 2026 – TDC, a key driver of economic growth and business development in the North Country, will host North Country Manufacturing Day 2026 at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Clinton Community College on Thursday, November 5. The event is held in partnership with the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Clinton Community College, Brilliant Pathways, the County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency, CITEC,CV-TEC, Ready4Real, ETS Staffing, the North Country Chamber of Commerce, North Country Workforce Development Board, NYS Department of Labor, and the Workforce Development Institute.
Manufacturing Day is a collaborative, hands-on approach to educating students about pathways to careers in manufacturing. This event is a celebration of the industries that call our region home, and fosters an appreciation for the global impact that the North Country has.
“We are incredibly excited to once again work alongside our partners to bring North Country Manufacturing Day to students across our region,” said Danielle King, President and CEO of TDC. “Our mission to create and retain high-quality jobs depends on a strong workforce. By introducing high school and eighth-grade students to the manufacturers and industries right here in the North Country, we’re helping them see the opportunities available in their own communities.”
Eight teams of local high school students were paired with eight area manufacturers. Each team of students was responsible for learning about their assigned company and developing a booth and activities to represent their assigned manufacturer for attendees on November 5. Over 200 eighth-grade students will visit the IAM to explore the facility, training and educational opportunities, see a welding demonstration, explore careers through virtual reality, meet local manufacturers and visit the student-designed manufacturing booths, and participate in a hands-on STEM activity. Students will be guided by young professionals and volunteers from the CV-TEC New Visions Applied Engineering program and SkillsUSA.
Participating manufacturers include Rockit Motors, AQ Wiring, Norsk Titanium, Plattco, Monaghan Medical, Jeffords Steel, MRP Solutions, and Micro Bird. High school students from Beekmantown, Keene, Northern Adirondack, and Northeastern Clinton School Districts, along with students from the CV-TEC Automotive Technology program, will present their booths, and eighth graders from Beekmantown, Boquet Valley, Keene, Chateaugay, and NCCS will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite booth design. Additional booths featuring Clinton Community College and CV-TEC will also be available for students to explore.
The top booth designers will be awarded scholarships of $500 each to attend Clinton Community College sponsored by the College Foundation. Prizes will also be awarded to the second- and third-highest voting booth designers.
Students from the CV-TEC Construction Trades program also participated in Manufacturing Day by serving as the construction crew and creating displays for the booths.
D. Billy Jones, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Workforce Development at Clinton Community College, said, “The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Clinton Community College is proud to host, and partner with The Development Corp (TDC) for Manufacturing Day. This day brings the opportunity to introduce middle and high school students to modern day manufacturing techniques. It also gives them a chance to experience the fascinating technology used by globally renowned manufacturers located right here in our backyard."
Garry Douglas, President and CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, said, “Manufacturing Day has become a great opportunity to connect our young people with some of our many diverse companies and with the world of 21st century manufacturing. We thank all of the participating schools and manufacturers and all of the supporting partners led by TDC. Onward and upward!"
Molly Ryan, Executive Director of the County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency, said, “What makes this event special is that high school students learn directly from our manufacturers and then use what they’ve learned to introduce eighth graders to those same opportunities. At that age, students are just beginning to think about their futures. Seeing a booth created by students a few years older than they are can make these careers feel more real and within reach. We’re proud to help plan and sponsor an event that shows young people, early on, that they can build a rewarding career right here in Clinton County.”
Steve Lockwood, Executive Director of CITEC, said, "CITEC as part of the NY Manufacturing Extension Partnership or MEP is proud to support our North Country Manufacturing Companies.”
Danielle Jackson, Career and Workforce Development Coordinator at CV-TEC, said, “We appreciate our Manufacturing Day partners for helping middle and high school young professionals discover career opportunities right here in the North Country. Connecting with employers builds awareness of career pathways, workplace expectations, and how technical skills translate into meaningful careers. These partnerships create authentic work-based learning projects that strengthen communication, collaboration, and problem-solving—bringing NY Inspires to life through career-connected learning. Our young professionals have thoroughly enjoyed preparing, and we can’t wait to see their excitement as they experience Manufacturing Day!”
TDC would also like to thank Zuke's Corner Store & Deli for their continued support in preparing lunch for the event.
TDC continues to foster an environment where businesses and industrial investment can thrive, creating jobs and supporting sustainable economic development in the North Country. For more information about TDC and its efforts to support local businesses, please visit www.tdcnny.com.
About TDC: TDC is a private not-for-profit company committed to helping businesses grow. Governed by a Board of Directors composed of business and community leaders from throughout Clinton County, TDC develops industrial parks, markets the region for new business, and works to retain and expand the local industry. In addition to leasing and maintaining premier industrial properties in Plattsburgh, NY, they work to connect businesses with resources, suppliers, staff, and financial incentives.
