From the Director
Caterpillar does it again! 1,400 employees Another goal met early.
Manufacturing is consistently recognized worldwide as one of the industries that contributes most to the economic
prosperity of a na on and its ci zens. Why then are U.S. manufacturers facing a gap — not only in finding the skills
needed, but also in Americans' interest in pursuing long‐term careers in manufacturing? To explore this dilemma, The
Manufacturing Ins tute and Deloi e have teamed up to conduct the 5th U.S. Public Opinion of Manufacturing study. The
study reveals Americans remain steadfast in their support of manufacturing and also uncovers opportuni es to
strengthen interest, support and engagement in the U.S. manufacturing industry.
Americans value a strong manufacturing sector…
90%
of Americans believe manufacturing is
very important to economic prosperity
Percentage of respondents who believe it is important to...
89% Standard of living 73% Na onal security
Americans believe the industry has global compe
U.S. compe ve
advantages
iden fied by
respondents
by Ryan Moore
Americans support manufacturing job crea on
If given an opportunity to create 1,000 new jobs in their
community, manufacturing tops the list
#
ve advantages
73% 72% 69%
Technology
use and
availability
Research and
development
capabili es
Energy
availability
Manufacturing
Facility
2. Technology
development center
3. Energy produc on
facility
4. Healthcare facility
5. Retail center
6. Communica ons
hub
7. Financial ins tu on
Manufacturing is ranked
among the most important
domes c industries for
helping maintain a strong
na onal economy
82% of Americans believe the
U.S. should further invest
in the manufacturing
industry
Americans have strong views on what needs to change and when the industry engages, percep ons change
Americans agree ac on is necessary to bolster
Industry familiarity increases posi ve percep on
compe veness and increase jobs
Those familiar with
Those familiar
82%
U.S.
healthcare
costs need
to decrease
manufacturing are
80%
78%
2X as likely
U.S. needs a
comprehensive
energy policy
U.S. educa on
system needs
reform
to encourage a
child to pursue
manufacturing
3
RD
with manufacturing
ranked it 3rd as
career choice out of
7 key industries
compared to others
ranking it 5th
overall
Americans indicate targeted programs would increase interest in manufacturing careers
72% Internships, work study or appren ceship
fica on or degree programs for manufacturing
68% Cer
skills training
yet Americans are reluctant to choose careers in manufacturing
Americans' confidence in schools systems to provide necessary skills is declining
53%
believe school
systems provide
exposure to
manufacturing
skills
30%
believe school
systems encourage
students to pursue
manufacturing
careers
Reasons for not encouraging child or younger genera on
66% worried
about job security
and stability
4
45% believe the
industry has limited
career prospects
Only 1 out of 3
Parents would encourage their
children to pursue a career in
manufacturing
Over…
1/2 Believe
manufacturing jobs
to be interes ng
and rewarding
Yet…
More than
1/3 Agree that
manufacturing jobs
manufacturing provides
50% Believe a career in
are increasingly
a good income rela ve
to other industries
available and
accessible
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT www.AthensBusiness.org 706-613-3233
4 4
I
n 2013, Caterpillar made a decision to invest in this
community on a site at the west end of Atlanta Highway.
As a part of their agreement with the State of Georgia
they were obligated to create 1,390 jobs at the site by
2020. Caterpillar achieved their job crea on goal this year – a
full five years ahead of schedule.
Caterpillar announced that it was coming to the site in
February of 2012 a er a long site selec on process. The site is
a joint development of Athens‐Clarke and Oconee Coun es.
What is unknown to most about the process is that the site
was late to the process and Athens and Oconee were
contacted about the project in January 2012. The next two
months would be a frenzy of effort and intense mee ngs to
determine if the project was even possible. Luckily for this
community, leaders emerged in both communi es that had a
“can‐do” a tude, and the biggest project in this area for
some me was put together in two months. Two months is an
aggressive schedule to put together any project, much less
one of this magnitude! This project serves as a reminder of
what is possible if willing community leadership works
together with strong corporate part