Hendersonville -- August 8, 2026: A new children’s book created in Henderson County is taking an early approach to workforce development by introducing young students to manufacturing and the career opportunities available in their own community.
The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development (HCPED), along with the Economic Investment Fund of Henderson County, recently unveiled You Can Make It!, the first children’s book created by the Partnership.
The book is designed specifically for younger students and will be incorporated into the Henderson County Public Schools curriculum during the 2026-2027 school year.
Rather than approaching manufacturing through statistics and job descriptions, You Can Make It! tells the story through the eyes of a child named Leo.
Curious about how things are made, Leo is joined by Widget, a cheerful cardinal who takes him on a tour of manufacturing in Henderson County. Along the way, the story presents modern manufacturing as a clean, high-tech industry where local workers produce products people use every day.
“Our team continues to come up with innovative ideas to share the story of manufacturing in Henderson County,” HCPED Board Chair Beau Waddell said in announcing the project. “We are excited to promote manufacturing careers among our youngest learners, hopefully impacting our future workforce.”
The book is part of the Partnership’s broader Made in Henderson County workforce development program, an initiative that works to connect local manufacturers, schools and students while increasing awareness of manufacturing careers.
Made in Henderson County reaches students from elementary school through college. According to the program, Henderson County is home to more than 130 manufacturers employing more than 5,700 people. Manufacturing represents approximately 12% of the county’s workforce, with average annual wages of about $67,000.
For younger children, however, career development can begin with something much simpler: understanding what people in their community actually do for a living.
Henderson County Public Schools said the book offers another way to connect classroom learning with opportunities students may eventually find close to home.
“As educators, we’re always looking for new ways to connect learning with real-world opportunities,” the school system said. “You Can Make It! will help our students imagine their own futures right here in Henderson County.”
The project was developed through collaboration among the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Henderson County Public Schools and the Economic Investment Fund of Henderson County.
Financial support was also provided by the Community Foundation of Henderson County and Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co.
Kris Merritt, senior program officer with the Community Foundation of Henderson County, said the Foundation's support came from donors interested in helping ensure future generations have opportunities to live and work in the county.
“Efforts like this can spark early awareness of local career paths while casting a vision for future workforce leaders,” Merritt said.
The children's book is one piece of a larger effort to expose students to local industry.
HCPED is also planning several workforce development activities this fall, including 2026 Manufacturing Day, which will provide local Career and Technical Education high school students with tours of manufacturing facilities.
The Partnership will also hold its Manufacturing Showcase Oct. 13-17 at Blue Ridge Mall, highlighting products made in Henderson County and the companies and workers behind them.
You Can Make It! is also available for purchase through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.