Friday, August 01, 2003
"Manufacturing is not dead."
"We need to support and recruit the kinds of manufacturing companies that can grow and prosper in this global economy."
That's the view from North Carolina Commerce Secretary Jim Fain, and he's right. This is a good position for us as EDPros.
The North Carolina economy has been reeling from plant dislocations as more and more manufacturing plants shrink or close. To compete, manufacturers will have to be more innovative, sophisticated and nimble.
The plant closings have hit hard in those businesses that participated in the first wave of migration to the South after World War II. These plants are predominantly in relatively low wage businesses like shoes, apparel and textiles. All across the South, and particularly in rural counties, these plants have been closing. They leave behind large economic gaps and underskilled workers.
This article is part of a series on the impact of globalization on North Carolina's manufacturing businesses.
At the same time, places like Campbellsville, KY have begun making the adjustment. For fifty years, people sewed underwear. Then Fruit of the Loom closed. Read this article from Fast Company .
posted by Ed Morrison |
links
Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber:
Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Competing in manufacturing
