U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy (left) tours the P-TECH school in Dunkirk Thursday afternoon. He is joined by Todd Tranum, Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier and President of Dream It Do It WNY, and Bill Smock, principal of P-TECH (right). Photo by M.J. Stafford

Local U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy visited Dunkirk Thursday afternoon for a tour of Pathways in Technology Early College High School, aka P-TECH.

“This is truly inspiring to see what young people are able to accomplish when you tap into their potential, as they work to support the growth of domestic manufacturing and secure the future of American industry, especially right here in the Southern Tier,” he said.

Seeing the school “really gives you a great feeling of things to come as this program continues to grow. P-TECH is fostering a new generation of talent that is not only well prepared for the workforce, but infused with the spirit of innovation.”

Langworthy said he will advocate further tax relief for domestic manufacturing. “We learned all too seriously, during the breakdown of the supply chain during COVID, how important American manufacturing is. We have to find every opportunity to make that sector of the economy grow. … What they are doing at P-TECH is only going to help that grow.”

The school will contribute skilled workers to Southern Tier manufacturers, he noted. “It’s mind-boggling what’s done in a quiet manner right here in our back yard,” he said.

Todd Tranum, Executive Director of the Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, and P-TECH Principal Bill Smock led Langworthy on the approximately 45-minute school tour.

Tranum and Smock emphasized that partnerships make P-TECH successful. It’s a collaborative effort between local businesses, Jamestown Community College, Erie 2 BOCES and the Dunkirk City School District.