As manufacturing jobs that were once shipped overseas begin to return to this country's shores, a local-level examination of that national trend revealed that Washington, D.C., is also a burgeoning industrial town.

Roughly 300 people gathered in the Boilermaker building, the future home of ideaspace, last night for Production in the City, a pop-up marketplace and panel discussion about the state of manufacturing in the District. The event, which was co-hosted by Smart Growth America and Elevation DC, featured 20 vendors selling locally produced wares.

Ilana Preuss, vice president and chief of staff for Smart Growth America, moderated the panel, which included representatives from three distinct sectors of homegrown manufacturing: Megan Parisi, brewmaster for Bluejacket microbrewery; Guy Brami, partner in the family-owned and operated Gelberg Signs; and Pranav Vora, founder and CEO of online menswear shop Hugh & Crye.

They weren't the only makers present, though. "More people have started producing and selling custom-made materials in D.C. in the last two years," said Preuss. The vendors gathered in the pop-up market at the other end of the space served as real-time reinforcement of her words.

Preparing for reshoring, one skill at a time
Hosting the event at ideaspace, which will be a 16,000-square-foot collaboration center and "makerspace," raised questions from the audience about makerspaces—gaining popularity around the country--and their role in the D.C. manufacturing scene. Vora said that he took sewing classes to learn more about his industry before starting Hugh & Crye.

"There's the beauty of simplicity," he said, of learning to sew and create small accessory items. "Put your phone down for a little while, and get your hands dirty."

One person taking a sewing class isn't going to bring back a manufacturing economy, but it's a start. Since the U.S. as a whole has shifted to a post-industrial knowledge economy, workers with traditional manufacturing skills are sometimes hard to find. D.C., with its plethora of advanced-degree holders, is an example of this trend writ large. "D.C. has a history, until recently, of pushing out manufacturing—of pushing out trades," said Brami, whose 40,000-square-foot factory in Lamond Riggs in Northeast employs 100. That notion is changing, thanks in part to DC Department of Employment Services (DOES)'s job-training programs.

Another audience member asked panelists to define the kinds of skill sets and resources they are looking for in new hires. "There are certain skills we need," said Brami, "and when we post those jobs, there is no line up at the door." He mentioned welders, sheet metal fabricators, electricians and other equipment operators. "But if I post a design job, I have a hundred graphic designers in one call."

D.C. needs a PR boost
So, how can the city boost its manufacturing and production? It may come down to public relations. "We need a great PR campaign," Brami said. "There is something going on in this city and the rest of the country needs to know about it."

"D.C. is thought of as an enterprise and public-sector town," Vora added. "I'd love to see more consumer brands [here]."

"We need to show that things actually get done," Parisi said. "Things actually happen within the borders of the District."