Individuals in the manufacturing workforce gather at the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers' Coalition office in Marietta for the second discussion series hosted by ReImagine Appalachia on Wednesday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA – Nearly 100 individuals within the manufacturing workforce attended the second session of ReImagine Appalachia and the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative discussion series Wednesday.

Held at the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition in Marietta, the session went from morning through early afternoon and focused on team building, partnerships, and working together to strategize and make a stronger manufacturing workforce.

ReImagine Appalachia Co-Executive Director Amanda Woodrum was one of the speakers who opened the session. She discussed the region’s rich history in natural resources and industrialization.

“The first goal of today is to really dig into the data for this particular region,” she said. “One thing I don’t think you can find anywhere else in the nation is a shared cultural identity that crosses state lines.”

The start of the series included opening remarks from speakers like American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative Executvie Director Matt Bogoshian, Rural Action Co-CEO Bryn Sowash, Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers Coalition Executive Director Andrew Jackson, and local leaders such as Southeastern Ohio Port Authority CEO Jesse Roush, and True Pigments Director of Project Development Michelle Maciver.

Attendees had an opportunity to gain insight from the perspectives of the speakers and collaborate on shared goals.

Maciver discussed how True Pigments has been working to restore water in southeast Ohio that has been impacted by acid mine drainage. The water contains iron, which gives it an orange color. Through a filtration process the iron is removed from the water and used for pigmentation in paints.

“We look forward to all of the possibilities before us, we’re really looking forward to connecting with manufactuers,” she said.

Maciver said as the project has progressed over the years, they’re looking for ways to continue growing and connect with the local manufacturing workforce.

Roush provided another local manufacturing lens and shared with attendees how much the port authority has grown over the years with the help of partnerships and workforce initiatives.

“Last year we acquired the site (former American Municipal Power) where we can now say the railway is connected to the river,” said Roush.

He said with these new developments, raw materials can now move on and off the river as they did prior to the AMP site shutting down.

Roush and Maciver were two examples of how manufacturing has shifted and grown locally into a region-wide development.

After a few hours of speakers, the group participated in a discussion session and answered prompts to guide the discussion.

Following the discussion and speakers, attendees had an opportunity to tour the facility and learn about the Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition and its impact on the local workforce.

The event was co-hosted by Rural Action and AOMC who provided insight on manufacturing methods and bringing young adults into the manufacturing workforce.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com