The importance of manufacturing: Key to recovery in the states and the nation

Publication Date: February 2008

Publisher: Economic Policy Institute

Author(s): Robert Scott

Research Area: Labor; Manufacturing and industry

Type: Brief

Abstract:

While U.S. manufacturing has been hard hit by a decade of rapid import growth and job loss, the manufacturing sector still remains a vital part of the U.S. economy. Not only is manufacturing important for jobs and production, but a vital manufacturing sector is also essential to meeting national challenges, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the nation's reliance on imported energy.

Renewable forms of energy, such as wind or solar power, rely on manufactured components more so than extractable energy such as oil. A vibrant manufacturing sector will be needed to supply the new materials that will be in demand by a low-carbon economy.