Manufacturing Jobs Rise in Small Urban Areas

McLean County, Illinois, has seen a significant shift in its economic landscape since the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning from a region primarily known for insurance and education to one that is rapidly developing a manufacturing base with thousands of new jobs at Rivian electric vehicle and Ferrero candy factories. Rivian has expanded its workforce from 300 to 8,000 employees, highlighting the area's newfound industrial growth. This trend is reflective of a broader recovery in manufacturing across the U.S., which has seen an increase in jobs from approximately 12.9 million in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. A report from the Economic Innovation Group notes that this marks the first full recovery of manufacturing employment since the 1970s. Despite historical declines since 1979, experts like Georgetown's Joseph McCartin suggest the recent upswing in manufacturing jobs may signal a hopeful future, particularly as wages for these positions have begun to rise. This development aligns with President-elect Trump's commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing in regions affected by job losses due to overseas relocations.