Expansion Management

Manufacturing is Boon to Northeast Ohio's Economy

Feb. 3, 2014

Manufacturing growth helped achieve a regional GRP growth rate of 3.5%, which exceeded the national rate of 2.7%.

Manufacturing took front and center stage in moving Northeast Ohio past the recession, according to a report out today by the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET), produced by the Center for Economic Development at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs of Cleveland State University,

Between 2010 and 2012, Northeastern Ohio's manufacturing sector grew in employment, exports, average wages and gross regional product.

The report, “2013 Manufacturing Brief ," found that in 2012 manufacturing accounted for 18.8% of GRP (Gross Regional Product).This is significantly higher than manufacturing’s 16.1% of the remainder of Ohio’s gross state product and the national share of 12%.

Manufacturing contributed $35.5 billion to regional GRP, more than $14.2 billion higher than the second largest contributor, the real estate and rental and leasing industry. Manufacturing GRP in Northeast Ohio grew by 18.2%, adding $5.5 billion between 2010 and 2012.

Manufacturing growth helped achieve a regional GRP growth rate of 3.5%, which exceeded the national rate of 2.7%. Excluding manufacturing, the regional GRP would have shrunk to just 0.6%, showing how vital manufacturing was from 2010 through 2012 for GRP growth.

Read more about how manufacturing brought Ohio out of recession on NewEquipmentDigest.com

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.