‘Maker’s Day’ Highlights Trenton’s Manufacturing Base

TRENTON — The famous words that appear on the Lower Trenton Bridge — “Trenton Makes, the World Takes” — celebrates the city’s industrial past, but officials sought to showcase on Friday that Trenton still has a thriving manufacturing base.

The idea for Maker’s Day came about from meetings the city had been having with some of the city’s 69 manufacturing companies who say that there is some misinformation about the industry that make it difficult to hire, said Eric Maywar, an economic development specialist for the city.

He said the event was designed to highlight the city’s manufacturers, the fact that the entry-level jobs pay well and that many of the companies are expanding and hiring.

“There are things in Trenton that students can do to learn the necessary skills including coding, mechanics and other trades,” Maywar said.

Friday’s event, which took place at Roebling Wire Works, had demonstrations, exhibits and hands-on activities for middle school and high school students.

Participants included Tektite Industries, which manufactures LED lights; Hutchinson Industries, a rubber manufacturer specializing in the production of tires for military vehicles; Code for Trenton; Mercer County Community College; Shiloh Community Development Corporation; bike welder Wills Kins; the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program; New Jersey Institute of Technology; and the city’s school district and public library.

Kids from the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club were bused over to take part in the activities.

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Click here to read the original article on NJ.com.