This coming spring, The Stanly News & Press will publish a project called “Made In Stanly County.”

We will focus on manufacturers and farmers who produce items locally for mass consumption far outside the borders of Stanly County.

We have some ideas about who is making things here, but I am sure we are not aware of some manufacturers and farmers that should be included.

That is where you come in. If you know or work for a manufacturer who produces items of a scale that is shipped from the facility in a truck or a train car, please let us know.

Forty years ago, this question would have a much different answer than it does today. When the textile mills were in full swing and Albemarle was essentially clothing the world, it was easy to see and appreciate what was made here and its importance.

Now, some of those manufacturers are almost hidden in old buildings operating at far less scale but no less importance.

I just recently discovered the American Fiber and Finishing plant just down the street from the newspaper makes cotton balls. It is these types of operations we want to know about.

If you can help us out so we don’t miss anything, that would be great. There’s just a couple requirements. The business must be located in Stanly County and must provide a product that is distributed far and wide. Agriculture products such as cotton and dairy products are a part of this publication as well.

Send your suggestions to editor B.J. Drye at bj.drye@stanlynewspress .com.

I appreciate the community’s help with this and look forward to highlighting some of the people and places who keeping the Stanly County and Albemarle economy ticking at a high rate.

Roger Watson is publisher of The Stanly News & Press.