Manufacturing in Putnam County: Built for the Future
Creating Careers, Building Community, and Powering Putnam County’s Future
Op-Ed by: Chris Gent
Wrote for the Palatka Daily News.
Drive through Putnam County, and you'll find evidence of manufacturing all around you. Local workers produce everything from paper products and frozen appetizers to bridge structures, drywall, countertops, plastic products, and ocean-going tugboats. The products may differ, but they all have one thing in common: behind each is someone who calls Putnam County home.
They're the parents cheering from the sidelines after work. They're volunteer firefighters, church members, nonprofit volunteers, and small business owners. They're our friends and neighbors. Manufacturing isn't just about what's produced. It's about the people who make it happen.
Modern manufacturing bears little resemblance to the outdated image many people still picture. Today's facilities rely on advanced technology, automation, skilled trades, engineering, and logistics. Behind it all are employees who solve problems every day. Electricians, mechanics, engineers, operators, technicians, and skilled craftspeople keep complex operations running safely and efficiently. Whether someone enjoys working with their hands or solving technical problems, manufacturing offers a wide range of career paths that often begin right here in our community.
That work reaches far beyond Putnam County. At Georgia-Pacific's Palatka mill, generations of local families have helped manufacture essential paper products used by customers across the country. Today, the mill produces approximately 40 million cases each year. Across the county, manufacturers support local businesses while investing in internships, apprenticeships, technical education, and workforce development. Those investments help ensure young people can begin rewarding careers without leaving the community they call home.
Manufacturing has been part of Putnam County's story for generations. It has provided careers that allow families to remain here while helping our community grow. Looking ahead, that role will be more important than ever. As communities across the country compete for skilled workers and new investment, continued support for education, workforce development, and modern manufacturing will ensure Putnam County remains a place where opportunity continues to thrive.
The products made in Putnam County travel far beyond our county lines. The opportunities they create remain here. That's why manufacturing still matters to Putnam County.