Press Conference to Celebrate our Manufacturers and MakerFest

As part of Manufacturing Day, and to recognize the new Tri-State MakerFest, Great River Economic Development Foundation (GREDF) invites the community to a press conference and facility tour on Tuesday, October 3 at 9a in Craig Industries at the 401 Delaware Campus – 401 Delaware St. Quincy, IL.

Craig Industries is the leading manufacturer in high quality insulated building panels for various industries from wine, beer and walk-in coolers, to industrial buildings and clean rooms. The tour following the press conference will be of the manufacturing buildings, as well as the office in the old firehouse.

Marcel Wagner, GREDF president will kick off the press conference followed by, Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) director Blanche Shoup on manufacturing partnerships. Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center (QAVTC) director, Kaleb Smith will speak on classes and partnerships with our manufacturing companies, as John Wood Community College president Mike Elbe updates on the Workforce Development Center. Josh Craig of Craig Industries will then showcase their new building and expansion. The press conference will conclude with HOMEBANK president, Mark Hayes regarding the upcoming MakerFest and Mayor Kyle Moore will close with the Manufacturing Day Proclamation presentation.

“We are always thrilled to celebrate Manufacturing Day,” states Angela Caldwell, director of workforce development at GREDF. “Much of our efforts involve partnerships we facilitate with our manufacturing businesses.” Caldwell continues, “What’s even more exciting is the new MakerFest, replacing the Manufacturing Expo. At MakerFest, we can expose both students and the public to even more of our manufacturing and logistics companies. People can see what these businesses do, how they innovate, and learn about opportunities.”

“I think the public will be amazed at the products that are made right here in the tri-state area” agrees Mark Hayes, HOMEBANK president. “Wheels, truck beds, animal feed, compressors, cleaning products and more are manufactured here and shipped all over the globe. We encourage the public to see what an impact our area has on the world.”

The Tri-State MakerFest will be held on Wednesday, October 18 from 9a-6p in the Oakley Lindesay Center, 300 Civic Center Plaza and is open to the public from 1:30p – 3:30p.

Participating businesses and organizations include:

MakerFest is sponsored by HOMEBANK and in partnership with John Wood Community College, Workforce Innovation Board of Western IL, West Central Region Education for Employment System #240 / Quincy Area Vocational & Technical Center.