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In a recent article entitled “Manufacturing’s Wake-Up Call”, the authors detailed this nation’s manufacturing base, its challenges and opportunities. As I read the article, I began to relate the topic to our local economy and to our rich manufacturing base. The article indicated that 11% of the US GDP was linked to manufacturing but when suppliers and other related networks were included it rose to over 15%. Applied locally, this means that approximately 1 in 7 jobs are directly or indirectly linked to manufacturing. And when related consumer spending is considered, the impact could be as high as 25% of a local economy. There is no doubt about the impact this community’s manufacturing base has on our economy. One only has to look at TRW, (celebrating its 50th anniversary), Lochinvar, TACLE Seating, Permobil, Nutro Products, Perma-Pipe, L & W Engineering, S & S Industries, Georgia-Pacific, Bay’s Southern Bread, Fortune Plastics, and many other quality manufacturers throughout our community to realize the importance of their contributions.
The manufacturing reputation is always changing, and over the last several decades has taken its criticism for cheap imports, moving offshore, and quality issues. But the fact remains that manufacturing in the U.S still produces approximately 75% of its necessary products and could increase this percentage to as high as 95%. Our existing industry surveys, Industry leaders and location consultants indicate that manufacturing can continue its growth if they can locate closer to their markets, have a fair regulatory and tax environment and most importantly have a technically trained workforce.
Certainly, this community appreciates and understands the importance of our manufacturing base. The question we need to address is how do we continue to position ourselves for future opportunities? The question then becomes, what can we do to continue to grow and promote this economic engine? We are centrally located in a growing region and community. We are centrally located with great logistical advantages. Our task should be to continue to address the technical needs of present and future employees. Presently our citizens must travel to regional technical schools to acquire necessary skill sets. I believe that it is time to form the partnerships between industries, our educational institutions and local and state government to further provide the opportunities to this community. As we move forward in this effort, we would greatly appreciate your insights, thoughts and suggestions.
On behalf of the JECDB, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve.
G. C. Hixson
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