Locally Made Products in the Spotlight

Everyone knows that manufacturing has steadily declined in Ohio and the U.S. in recent decades.  That is true locally as well, but Muskingum County companies still produce an interesting and sizable variety of industrial and consumer products.  So, an effort is being made to increase awareness in the community about what those are.

A display with a sampling of local products has been set up at Colony Square Mall in a window in the corridor near the movie theater.  Actual products, photos and packaging are used to illustrate locally manufactured goods such as O-I made glass bottles, Conn's chips, Kellogg's food products, and Ohio Stoneware crocks.  The display also includes intellectual property - which of course is not commonly considered manufactured goods - from Muskingum County, such as works by area artists and software by Cerner.

Also, the chamber has established a page on its website - www.zmchamber.com - with a list of locally made products.  The list, which is nearly 70 companies long, includes links to more information about the companies on the list that are chamber member firms.  Industrial products from companies like AK Steel and Casting Solutions and consumer goods from places like Longaberger and Bloomer Candy are included.  The list also covers agri-business, with companies like Terra Cotta Vineyards, Huston Farms and two local greenhouse growers - McDonald's and Timber Run - included.  The web page can be found at this link or by going to zmchamber.com and entering the search term "made in".

The purpose of the display and the web page is to recognize the accomplishments of area production businesses and celebrate the creativity, ingenuity and craftsmanship of local people and companies.  The overall goal is to create a positive business environment for these companies and retain them in the community.

The project is funded by the Chamber's Muskingum Growth Partnership.  Two college student interns, Rachel Thomas and Brianna Burke, helped plan and implement the initiative over the past year.