17 Apr 2024

Industry Profile | Advanced manufacturing

The Charlotte Region is a place where things are made. With a long history as a manufacturing hub beginning with textiles more than 100 years ago, today, the region is home to more than 3,500 manufacturers employing more than 146,000 people. The region has experienced growth in sectors like automotive parts, plastics, advanced textiles, biomedical, and energy manufacturing. 

North and South Carolina are the top two states in the country for manufacturing competitiveness with the two lowest tax burdens in the Southeast.

Strategically located on the East Coast, equidistant between New York and Miami, the Charlotte Region has the infrastructure to move goods and people efficiently regardless of mode of transportation.

(Hear from leaders in the advanced manufacturing industry about what makes the Charlotte Region a great place to do business.) 

The Charlotte Region has seen dramatic growth over the past three decades which projects to continue moving forward. This ongoing population growth continues to feed the region with new talent, and our workforce development partners throughout the region are committed to re-skilling and upskilling the current population with programs that are top rated nationally.

A resilient, sustainable, and reliable energy grid is important to maintaining an efficient production facility.  Electricity costs in the region are 18% lower than the national average with redundancies built into the systems to avoid any potential for extended outages. This strength is combined with the fact that more than 50% of power supply is from carbon-free sources, and additional plans in place to reduce this number even further by 2030. 

Strategic location, strong workforce base, and reliable and cost-effective energy grid make the Charlotte Region attractive for any advanced manufacturer. In a continuous effort to foster growth and competitiveness for the region, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance recently surveyed more than 100 industry experts to help shape the future of the advanced manufacturing industry in the region. This work will also help advanced manufacturers gain invaluable insights and benefits for their businesses. Results will be shared in Q2. 

Learn more about the region’s advanced manufacturing industry here.

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