Recognizing October 2017 as Manufacturing Month in The City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Careers in manufacturing are characterized by above average wages and rewarding work with a well-defined career path. There are over 20,000 manufacturing jobs in the City of Philadelphia, yet area manufacturing companies regularly have difficulty filling open positions; and

WHEREAS, Thanks to the ongoing work of the Mayor's Manufacturing Task Force, manufacturers, government and nonprofits have started to address the skilled-labor shortage they face, through outreach, education and program development; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia's manufacturing companies add to the vitality and prosperity of our community by providing above average wages and creating family sustainability. Manufacturing makes a significant contribution to the local, state and national economy; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia and the region helps to support an estimated 17.2 million jobs in the United States—about one in six private-sector jobs. Nearly 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing; and

WHEREAS, Since 2012, the first Friday in October has been recognized as National Manufacturing Day and has been previously recognized by this body. To celebrate Manufacturing Day, groups locally, regionally, and nationally will sponsor projects and programs designed to create greater awareness and consciousness of the manufacturing sector; and

WHEREAS, This year the City, led by the Office of Industry and Manufacturing, with external partners including Delaware Valley Industrial Resource Center, Manufacturing Alliance of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Works, US2020, Urban Manufacturing Alliance and the School District of Philadelphia, has expanded the celebration to span the month of October; and

WHEREAS, There will be events around the City including a Maker Listening Session at The Loom, a Commerce and City Council visit to Derbyshire Machine & Tooling Co., a STEM Regional Network Conference, tours of local manufacturing facilities for Philadelphia School District students and their parents, manufacturing professionals speaking to High School students about careers in manufacturing and a Manufacturing Day event at Leonardo Company; and

WHEREAS, Manufacturing Month aims to communicate the opportunities in the sector and spotlight the range of products made in the City of Philadelphia for fields including aerospace, food and beverage, healthcare, packaging, and technology; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize the month of October, 2017 as Manufacturing Month in Philadelphia.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the manufacturing industry in the City of Philadelphia as further evidence of the sincere respect of this legislative body.

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