North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has designated September 29 through October 4 as North Carolina Manufacturing Week. The proclamation highlights the importance of manufacturing to the state’s economy, which is valued at $108.1 billion and is the third-largest contributor to North Carolina’s economic output.
Governor Stein noted, “Valued at $108.1 billion, manufacturing is the third-largest contributor to our state’s thriving economy. More than 11,400 manufacturing businesses call North Carolina home. Our great business climate and continued investments in workforce training and post-secondary education enable North Carolina to attract manufacturers across all sectors.”
Economists from the Labor and Economic Analysis Division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce report that each dollar spent in manufacturing generates $2.01 for the state’s economy.
Last year, manufactured products accounted for 94% of North Carolina’s exports, totaling $40.4 billion in goods such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, aerospace components, non-ferrous metals, semiconductors, and textiles.
Manufacturing played a significant role in economic development announcements last year by representing 75% of all new, relocation, and expansion projects in the state with a total of 13,865 new jobs in this sector.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley stated, “From life sciences to aerospace, North Carolina is a magnet for world-class manufacturers that are building a thriving future. With a skilled workforce of more than 465,600 North Carolinians, a well-connected transportation infrastructure in a central East Coast location, and excellent quality of life, North Carolina will continue to compete and lead in today’s global market.”
Since taking office in January 2025, Governor Stein has announced nearly 27,000 new jobs statewide and over $19 billion in investment. Of these totals, more than 18,600 jobs and $6.6 billion have been directed specifically toward manufacturing projects involving companies such as JetZero, Jabil, AVL Manufacturing, Genentech, and Prolec-GE Wauskesha.
Further information about Manufacturing Week can be found by reading Governor Stein’s proclamation.
