Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor shows that, nationwide, employment in manufacturing is trending upwards. The news is especially well-received in Macomb County, where the number of new jobs created in the sector ranked the highest in the country.

According to findings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workforce data by industry indicates that over the last year and half there were 9,118 new manufacturing jobs created in Macomb County. Overall, the county’s manufacturing workforce is driven by 1,600 companies that employ more than 72,000 people.

Sterling Heights mayor Michael Taylor says the statistics confirm not only a robust manufacturing economy, but the strategic importance of the sector to the city.

“Manufacturing creates the jobs that fuel economic activity across our city," Taylor says.

Taylor says the benefit to the city is why Sterling Heights continues to focus economic development initiatives on manufacturing.

"The return on investment is tremendous," he says.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel says it's inspiring to see the transformation, given that the future of manufacturing in the United States was in question in previous years.

"Here in Macomb, we held firm in the belief that our manufacturers would remain a key driver of economic prosperity,” he says.

“I am pleased to see that our neighbors in Wayne and Oakland counties also made this list. This proves to the world that greater Detroit reigns in manufacturing.”

The Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development provides assistance to businesses with goals for growth and specializes in the manufacturing sector. Over the past five years, department staff provided direct service to more than 146 existing and incoming companies, which have then invested more than $1.4 billion in new facilities and equipment in the area.

“The future of manufacturing in Macomb County is strong,” says Vicky Rad, interim director of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. 

“At the moment, there are more than 1,100 job postings in this sector in Macomb County. We encourage job seekers to turn to our Michigan Works! office for help in updating their resume, training opportunities and more.”