Advanced Manufacturing

Advanced manufacturing in the Charlotte region is growing at a rate comparable to the most efficient and speedy assembly line – more than double the national average. It’s a stat that checks out considering 15,000-plus manufacturing jobs have been added in since 2013.

The reasons for the increase are compelling, especially for the bottom lines of companies calling Cleveland County home. North Carolina has one of the lowest corporate flat tax rates in the country at 2.5% and sits atop Forbes’ list of top states for business.

Using these benefits to their advantage most recently were four companies – Clearwater Paper, Greenheck and KSM Castings – that expanded in in the region with a total of $385,250,000 in investment.

As compelling as the costs is the cross-section of talent. Thanks to a workforce that spans technical skills to engineering expertise, industry frontrunners produce aircraft parts, textiles, electronics, paper products and even the Jaws of Life.

Trade associations, research facilities like the Charlotte Research Institute and the industry-focused workforce program Minds that Manufacture, help keep professionals and workers updated on techniques and tools of the trade. Cleveland Community College works closely with manufacturers on on-boarding and customized training to increase the skills of the workforce.  Many technical degree programs and certificate programs are offered to meet the needs of local manufacturers.