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42 | /INSIGHT ON MANUFACTURING • September 2015 w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g . c o m PLANT|NEWS SHEBOYGAN COUNTY EXPORTS ACHIEVE DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH Sheboygan County companies are churning out more products that are consumed overseas, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. From 2013 to 2014, Sheboygan County showed an export gain of 12.9 percent, exceeding export growth in most other regional cities. Sheboygan is seeing economic growth in other areas as well. In June, the city's unemployment rate was 4.6 percent — its lowest rate in 15 years. at's an overwhelming decline from its peak in June 2009, which was 12.1 percent. June's numbers also revealed the county's unemployment rate of 4.1 percent is the fih lowest county unemployment rate in the state. Additionally, Sheboygan County employers have nearly 2,700 jobs available. WISCONSIN PROTESTS EPA'S CLEAN POWER PLAN Wisconsin is among more than a dozen states petitioning the federal EVENT|NEWS SHOW OFF YOUR PLANT ON MANUFACTURING DAY OCT. 2 S tate manufacturing leaders hope to raise awareness during Manufacturing Month in October. Oct. 2 is designated as Manufacturing Day. Manufacturers are encouraged to host visits, tours and other events for students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and members of the community. A collection of resources is available online for employers, school districts, and others to host or take part in open houses or related events. More information can be found at www.mfgday.com. For educators and schools, the NEW Manufacturing Alliance's website, www.newmfgalliance.org, has a list of companies that are interested in offering plant tours or career speakers. K-12 PARTNERSHIP AWARDS SHOWCASE EDUCATOR/ MANUFACTURER COLLABORATIONS T he NEW Manufacturing Alliance will host its fourth annual Excellence in Manufacturing/K-12 Partnerships Awards at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. The event features New North-area schools, educators, manufacturers and leaders, showcasing efforts to help connect kids with STEM careers. The alliance received 79 nominations this year. government to stop implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Power Plan, signed by President Obama in August. e Clean Power Plan requires power plants in the state to cut carbon emissions by 32 percent by 2030, based on 2005 levels. Gov. Scott Walker says the new rule will cost Wisconsin's ratepayers — including manufacturers — up to $13 billion. Most of Wisconsin's electricity comes from coal — one of the main sources of carbon dioxide production in the United States, according to the EPA. In December, Wisconsin legislators issued a letter to the EPA challenging the Clean Power Plan proposal, citing concerns about cost and the reliability of other energy sources. COURTESY JOHNSONVILLE Sheboygan County-based Johnsonville Sausage exports its products to several markets, including Canada, Mexico, Japan and China. The awards dinner is being held in conjunction with the Manufacturing First Expo & Conference, which is now a two-day event planned for Oct. 21 and 22. Last year, more than 300 attended the awards dinner, which raised $10,000 for student scholarships. The cost to attend the dinner is $50. To register for the event, visit www.manufacturingfirst.com. INTERNSHIP DRAFT DAY PLANNED FOR NOV. 12 T he NEW Manufacturing Alliance and the Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance are hosting an Internship Draft Day from 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Lambeau Field. The event will bring in up to 300 college students who can seek internships from up to 50 alliance manufacturers. The event will have a football draft theme, giving students scores based on grade point average, resumés and club involvement. Top student picks will be shown on a "draft board." Students will be able to sign up for interviews with company representatives and can move up the board depending on how well they perform. F