Ohio Congresswoman Monica Robb Blasdel and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson both made remarks to the students in attendance of the Oct. 27 Columbiana County ESC Manufacturing Your Future Event. (Salem News photo by Morgan Ahart)

LISBON — The Columbiana County Career Technical Center hosted the Educational Service Center (ESC) Manufacturing Your Future Event Oct. 27.

The event, produced in conjunction with the Business Advisory Committee of the Columbiana County ESC, was hosted by U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson. The event was attended by students from the Southern Local, United Local, Beaver Local, Leetonia, East Liverpool, Lisbon, Columbiana and Salem school districts and began with remarks from Johnson.

“College is a good thing. But there are many opportunities outside of a four-year college. Many have the idea that manufacturing is dirty, that it’s dark. A factory is where it’s noisy all the time. There are many different types of manufacturing. Look at the things you use every day from plastics to cardboard to electronics. We make it here in American and it’s not necessarily dirty loud work,” said Johnson.

The students in attendance were divided into four groups, with each touring two of eight prominent manufacturing businesses in the county. Group one toured Butech Bliss and Ventra; group two toured Hickey Metal Fabrication and MAC Trailer Manufacturing; group three toured CTM Labeling Systems and Tru Cut; and group four toured Compco and Humtown. Following the tours students were provided lunch at the technical center courtesy of Johnson.

Following lunch, students enjoyed a video presentation and the groups took turns visiting the center’s welding and precision machining programs.

mahart@mojonews.com