The Evanston WestEnd business district organized a tour of local manufacturing businesses for Wednesday in recognition of National Manufacturing Day.

The tour, which will begin at IRMCO, 2117 Greanleaf St., will visit a total of seven businesses from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a city news release. All businesses are located within a three-block radius from the starting point. Evanston Food4Less will provide refreshments at IRMCO.

Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), State Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), Ald. Peter Braithwaite (2nd Ward) and other state and local officials will attend the tour.

Manufacturing Day is nationally observed and supported by a variety of manufacturing organizations, such as the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association and the National Association of Manufacturers, according to the release. It was created to increase awareness of the industry and manufacturing careers.

— Susan Du