LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Lexington Manufacturing Center (LMC), a company that provides employment opportunities for individuals facing challenges, was apart of a special recognition Friday from Mayor Linda Gorton, who toured the facility and proclaimed October as manufacturing month in Lexington. As the hum of assembly lines filled the air, Mayor Gorton addressed manufacturers across the city. “I, Linda Gorton, Mayor of Lexington, do hereby declare October 2024 manufacturing month in Lexington. Congratulations to all of you,” said Mayor Gorton. The announcement echoed through LMC’s workspace, a site that not only produces goods but also opportunities to community members who have encountered obstacles in finding employment. The LMC operates as part of Opportunity for Work and Learning (OWL), a nonprofit that aims to bridge employment gaps for people with disabilities or other challenges. “A lot of the people that we employ here, other employers didn’t necessarily give them the opportunity… but when it comes to us, we pretty much said yes,” said Jermain Sandusky, Operations Manager at LMC.  Sandusky added, “We take on everybody, you know, there’s no challenge too big for us here at LMC.” Officials shared stories of employees whose lives have been transformed. “When Kyrie came to us he was homeless at the time,” said Sandusky, “he enjoys coming in every day; he enjoys the fact that he feels like he has a purpose, every day he comes in he has a smile on his face,” he said. The new proclamation, dedicating October to manufacturing, highlights the sector’s essential role in Lexington’s economy and community. “When you think about building up a community, how much talking are you going to do, right? Like, you have to start showing by example… I get pleasure in bringing people in and seeing them thrive,” said Sandusky. Categories: Featured, Local News, News Tags: community support, employment, inclusion, Lexington, manufacturing, Mayor Linda Gorton, Opportunity for Work and Learning, Workforce Development