Maryland MEP PODs on display at Washington County Free Library

(Columbia, Maryland) – The Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP), a non-profit committed to growing and strengthening Maryland manufacturing, today announced that the Make it in Maryland Product Showcase will be displayed at the Alice Virginia & David W. Fletcher Branch of the Washington County Free Library, beginning in August.

The Make it in Maryland Product Showcase is designed to highlight amazing Maryland-made products and is intended to promote local manufacturing, educate the public of what is made in Maryland, and inspire children to pursue careers in manufacturing down the road.

Beginning August 10, the Product Showcase will be on display in the atrium of the Washington County Free Library’s Hagerstown location at 100 South Potomac Street. The Showcase will be on display for the public until September 12.

“As part of our effort to grow manufacturing in Maryland, we designed Make it in Maryland Product Showcase to highlight great products made in the State and the companies that make them,” said Mike Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer of MD MEP. “We’re thrilled to partner with Washington County Free Library to display the Showcase and hopefully, those who pass by them -- including Maryland’s next generation -- may take interest or one day pursue a career in manufacturing.”

Launched by MD MEP in 2014, the Make it in Maryland program is Maryland’s first and only program dedicated to manufacturers within the state to showcase companies, demonstrate the value of manufacturing within Maryland and highlight manufacturing successes.

The Make it in Maryland Program’s Showcase consist of 4 PODs that measure 4 feet by 6 feet around, and 8 feet tall and were designed by NovakBirch. Each POD features an array of products created by Maryland manufacturers including McCormick & Co., Tenax, Pompeian Olive Oil, Holmatro, Berry Plastics, Tulkoff and more. Two of the PODS will be on display at the Washington County Free Library.

Serving Washington County, Maryland, and the Cumberland Valley since 1898, the Washington County Free Library System is dedicated to serving the personal, educational, and professional information needs of its communities. WCFL promotes community enrichment and economic vitality by providing information and library materials in a variety of formats.

“We are delighted to partner with the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership to bring this exciting exhibit to Hagerstown as we help celebrate our city’s and county’s manufacturing history and help stir interest in future manufacturing vocations,” said Patricia Wishard, Public Relations and Marketing Librarian for Washington County Free Library.

If you are a Maryland business that would like to display a POD in the future, or if you are a manufacturer interested in signing up for MD MEP’s free Make it in Maryland Program, please contact Tyler Burford at tburford@mdmep.org.

About Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MD MEP): MD MEP works with partners throughout the state including the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) and others focused on growing manufacturing in the State of Maryland by providing resources and services to manufacturers statewide. Through collaborative efforts and strategic partnerships, MD MEP helps Maryland manufacturers expand their business, educate their workforce and create mutually beneficial connections with other Maryland businesses. For more information, please visit www.mdmep.org.