Congressman Bob Latta is recognizing National Manufacturing Day by highlighting the number of manufacturing businesses and jobs across Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District.

Latta, whose district includes Mercer County, said Friday that manufacturing remains an important part of the regional economy and workforce. Ohio’s Fifth District includes all or portions of 12 counties across western and northern Ohio.

According to Latta’s office, the district is home to more than 1,000 manufacturing businesses and more than 86,000 manufacturing jobs. Latta’s office cited the same figures in an August announcement involving legislation focused on domestic manufacturing.

In his National Manufacturing Day statement, Latta said the industry increasingly includes highly technical work such as programming and robotic machinery, in addition to more traditional production jobs.

He also pointed to workforce development, investment and domestic supply chains as areas he believes are important to continued manufacturing growth.

Latta currently serves as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy. His office says energy policy remains one of the areas he is emphasizing in connection with manufacturing and industrial development.

Manufacturing has a particularly strong presence across western Ohio, including Mercer County, where employers ranging from small manufacturers to larger industrial operations make up a significant part of the local economy.

WCSM Radio has reached out to Congressman Latta’s office for additional comment specifically on the importance of manufacturing to Mercer County and other communities in western Ohio.

If additional audio or comments are provided, WCSM will include them in future coverage.