Modern manufacturing isn’t what it used to be — and thanks to CFES Brilliant Pathways and The Development Corporation (TDC), local students saw that transformation firsthand.

What once conjured images of greasy tools and dim assembly lines now resembles precision artistry. That’s the message high schoolers from Beekmantown, Northern Adirondack, and Northeastern Clinton Central Schools took away after touring several cutting-edge manufacturing facilities in Plattsburgh last week.

The tours, organized in celebration of National Manufacturing Day, were the result of a collaboration between CFES Brilliant Pathways, a national nonprofit based in Essex, NY dedicated to college and career readiness, and TDC, which owns and manages industrial parks throughout the region. CFES was instrumental in mobilizing students and schools to explore the future of industry — one rooted in innovation, sustainability, and opportunity.

“With our headquarters here, CFES Brilliant Pathways is committed to the Lake Champlain/Adirondack region,” said CFES CEO Tara Smith. “We want our students to see real possibilities for themselves in the North Country — and that includes the exciting careers emerging in today’s advanced manufacturing.”

At Beta Technologies’ hangar at Plattsburgh International Airport, students saw the future of flight. Beta, a Vermont-based company, is developing electric aircraft for cargo, medical, and eventually passenger transport. Their aircraft aren’t just functional — they’re sleek, ultra-light, and engineered with one-piece carbon composites that could double as sculpture.

“These are all battery-powered aircraft,” explained Thea Wurzburg, Beta’s liaison for state and local government affairs. “We’re starting with cargo and medical delivery, but passenger travel is on the horizon.”

Students also toured top manufacturers including Jeffords Steel and Engineering, Monaghan Medical Corporation, Norsk Titanium, Schluter Systems, MRP Solutions, and Medisca Pharmaceuticals — all companies that are redefining what manufacturing means in the 21st century.

Traditional manufacturing with dark and dirty and repetitive assembly lines still tends to be the stereotype, belying the opportunities that exist in the more modern and challenging manufacturing of today.

“Modern manufacturing is about solving problems and building things that improve lives,” said Scott McNulty, a manufacturing engineer at Beta. “It’s not about bolts and grime — it’s about precision, design, and creating something better.”

Nathaniel Horn, a technology teacher at Beekmantown, said the experience helped shatter outdated stereotypes about manufacturing.“I don’t know that I’ve seen more interest (in manufacturing), but I think it’s a viable option,” he said.

That future was inspiring to students like Kaden, who plans to study biomedical engineering and prosthetics — a path that blends CAD, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving. “It encompasses all my hobbies,” he said.

At Beta’s finishing hangar, Rich Neath described the final painting process as “putting makeup on the bride.” But it’s more than just cosmetic.

“Aircraft paint isn’t just about appearance — it protects the plane from corrosion, balances flight controls, and prevents lightning damage,” Neath said. “It’s one of the most technical and rewarding parts of the build.”

Thanks to CFES Brilliant Pathways’ vision and leadership, students from the North Country now have a clearer view of just how dynamic — and local — the future of manufacturing can be.