Manufacturing as a bedrock of the middle class: that’s a quaint thought, isn’t it? In an election cycle dominated by discussion of trade policy and economic angst, the idea that the American manufacturing sector can be an engine for equitable growth may seem as contemporary as tail fins on an Oldsmobile.
But many cities are discovering that not only can manufacturing be a key part of building the urban economy, it can also be an engine for improving economic equity and supporting minority job creation. The sector still carries plenty of weight, employing 12 million workers and generating $2.1 trillion in GDP.
Image: Linh Nguyen: Flickr/Creative Commons
