CARY – Manufacturing accounts for nearly one-fifth of North Carolina’s economic output, and organizations across the state are marking this week as one that is focused on the manufacturing industry.

That includes the State of North Carolina, which will observe North Carolina Manufacturing Week between October 2 and October 8, following a proclamation by Governor Roy Cooper.

“North Carolina manufacturing is thriving and putting more money in the pockets of every day North Carolinians who make up the most talented and skilled workforce in the world,” said Governor Cooper, in a statement regarding the proclamation.

And there’s a lot to celebrate.

NC project pipeline is ‘strongest it has ever been,’ says NC economic deveopment exec

Consider this: Of the record-breaking year for economic development in North Carolina, two of every three new, relocation, or expansion projects announced in the state were manufacturing operations.

According to a statement from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, those economic development projects are expected to create more than 14,690 new jobs, with investments surpassing $8.6 billion.

There’s VinFast, Boom Supersonic, Forza, Toyota’s second investment in the state, Eli Lilly, and Wolfspeed, all who have made significant economic development announcements in 2022.  In total, according to the Department of Commerce website, there have been more than 24,000 jobs and more than $14 billion in investment announced through the end of September.

Still, North Carolina may have be considered by Micron for an investment of $100 billion that could bring 50,000 jobs, as the company will reportedly select a site in New York state.  WRAL TechWire reported in January that multiple semiconductor firms, which may have included Micron and Wolfspeed, were considering North Carolina for a semiconductor plant.

Wolfspeed picks Chatham County for new semiconductor plant, 1800 jobs

SAS kicks off MFG Day

Governor Cooper will speak at an event on Wednesday morning at SAS headquarters in Cary.

The kickoff event of MFG Day 2022, Wednesday’s presentations will take an in-depth look at the sector’s workforce and how companies are driving digital transformation.

Jim Goodnight, CEO and cofounder of SAS, will also deliver remarks, as will Jay Timmons, the CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers.

According to organizers of the event, manufacturing is undergoing a transformation through the deployment of advanced technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics gathered from Internet-of-Things devices.

“This is creating tremendous career opportunities but manufacturers struggle to find data-savvy talent,” a spokesperson for the organizers told WRAL TechWire, adding that it is projected that by 2030, manufacturers expect to need to fill about 4 million new manufacturing jobs in the United States.

And SAS, which continues on a pathway toward an initial public offering in the future, along with the event’s co-organizers, will deliver tomorrow’s kickoff event with panel discussions, networking, and keynote remarks.

“North Carolina is a perfect place to have the event,” the organizers told WRAL TechWire in an emailed statement.  “The state’s manufacturing industry is thriving, with global companies like Mack and John Deere, and new investments from Toyota, Wolfspeed and others.”

The MFG Day 2022 kickoff event is free, and can be accessed virtually following registration.