Mayors meet with 'makers' at White House

Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane was among 90 invited Wednesday to visit with President Barack Obama at the first White House Maker Faire.

Posted 2:29 p.m. Jun 18, 2014 — Updated 2:59 p.m. Jun 18, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Mayors of 90 cities, including Conover, N.C., were invited Wednesday to visit with President Barack Obama at the first White House Maker Faire.

More than 100 entrepreneurs, students and inventors from 25 states joined the president for a celebration of entrepreneurship. The event is part of the president's effort to focus attention on STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math) and on boosting U.S. manufacturing.

Obama was in Pittsburgh on Tuesday pledging to make expanding manufacturing a priority for his remaining years in office.

The White House says 13 federal agencies are teaming up with companies like Etsy and Kickstarter to help Americans access startup capital and tools to develop new products.

During the White House Maker Faire, Obama will check out exhibits including the results of a 3D scan of his body that will be printed into a bust that will be delivered for display at the Smithsonian. Teen inventors will show off a biodiesel car made in Philadelphia and 128-square-foot home designed and built by a 12-year-old from Georgia.

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