A new report ranks Missouri 28th in manufacturing competitiveness, putting the state behind several of its neighbors. Commissioned by the Missouri Chamber Foundation, it said neighboring Tennessee, Kentucky, and Nebraska rank among the top 15.
Ted Abernathy, who compiled the report, said the bright side is manufacturing contributes $50 billion annually to the state’s gross domestic product and employs 287,000 people.
“The state has been growing its manufacturing jobs since the end of the Great Recession in 2011 and has actually been growing jobs at a faster rate than the nation. And the jobs that are there are high earning jobs with annual earnings close to $90,000,” he told Missourinet.
Abernathy said the industry has drastically changed from the 1950s.
“Additive manufacturing, 3D printing is a big deal. Virtual reality is a big deal, and manufacturing AI will continue to make manufacturing more productive. But it also means the skills of individuals working in manufacturing will continue to rise,” he said.
The report makes several recommendations.
“Eliminating the barriers for people to work. So, working on issues like childcare that can prevent people from working, career awareness at an early level, trying to make sure that the workforce is enough people with the right skills, that’s the biggest key overall. It’s also one of the bigger weaknesses of the state.”
It also recommends providing incentives to increase investment, providing incentives to increase capital investment, expanding exports in North America and addressing Missouri’s public safety problems.
The research was compiled through surveys of nearly 300 manufacturing leaders and stakeholders.
To view the report, click here.
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