Manufacturing Thrives in North Carolina
The way we make things in North Carolina today has evolved and is quite different than decades ago. Traditional industries have transitioned to high-tech and knowledge based sectors. Advanced manufacturing has also seen this shift. In 2010, seven of the top 10 project announcements for capital investment and job creation came from the manufacturing industry, several of those in rural parts of the state. Manufacturing will continue to be a growth engine and a vital economic development target for North Carolina. In fact, output is almost 20 percent higher today than it was a decade ago. This doesn’t happen by chance. According to an American Institute for Economic Research (AIER) study, North Carolina has the second lowest manufacturing costs in the nation, coming in fourth after the three states that tied for first. With Gov. Bev Perdue’s commitment to a well-trained workforce and a business friendly climate with an attractive tax structure, it’s no wonder businesses thrive in North Carolina. more....