The headlines proclaim that America’s manufacturing employment has been on a decline for decades. But, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. knows the region’s manufacturing sector remains a vibrant force with an annual gross domestic product of $4.5 billion – a dollar figure that represents 16.4 percent of our local economy.

Because manufacturing employs thousands here in the Lehigh Valley and is led by hundreds of innovative and creative thinkers, LVEDC is hosting a day of events to honor the industry.

“There are many small manufacturers churning out great products here in Lehigh Valley,” said John McGran, LVEDC vice president of marketing. “These small manufacturers may not attract the headlines of a Bethlehem Steel, but they put bread on the table for many area families – and the future looks bright thanks to the efforts of the LVEDC, the Manufacturers Resource Center and other area organizations.”

The day-long celebration of manufacturing will take place July 24th. That morning, the “American Made Movie” bus will roll into Bethlehem as part of its 32-city national tour. The film will premiere that evening at SteelStacks.

“To  many  Americans,  it feels  like  there  is  no  one  fighting  for  American  jobs – especially  in  the  manufacturing sector,” the producers note. “Fortunately, the greatest thing America makes is Americans. The  ability  of  average   Americans  to  adapt,  innovate  and  thrive  created  one  of  the  greatest  civilizations  in  human  history.”

LVEDC seconds that notion, which is why we’ll be handing out 185 tickets for the special advance screening of “American  Made  Movie,” –  a  documentary  that examines the  factors  contributing to  the  decline  of  the  American manufacturing  workforce  and  the  integral  role  consumerism may  play  in  getting  the  economy  back  on  track.

The  American  Made  Movie  Tour  is  a  bus  tour  that  focuses  on  the impact  consumers  have  on  the  health  of  their  local  communities  as  well  as  the  nation  at   large. The bus will arrive at Bethlehem from Pittsburgh, another former great steel city that has been forced to reinvent itself.

The day’s itinerary of events tentatively includes:

–          9 a.m. – Planning session at LVEDC headquarters.

–          11 a.m. – Visit with Lehigh Career Technical Institute. LCTI maintains a reputation as one of the finest career and technical schools in the nation.

–          2 p.m. – Stop at Da Vinci Center. Officials there will join Jack Pfunder, head of the Manufacturers Resource Center, to discuss a unique film contest that involves area eighth graders.

–          4 p.m. – Awards event at EcoTech Marine. The fast-growing local company will receive the “Be A Part” award from the movie producers.

Film registration takes place at 6:30 p.m.; film starts at 7 p.m. The evening culminates with a panel discussion on the film’s messaging, as well as manufacturing here in Lehigh Valley.