New York has the chance to lead the world in manufacturing again — but only if we invest wisely and act together.
Manufacturing is not a thing of the past. It is a powerful economic driver that fuels innovation, strengthens supply chains, and provides high-quality careers. The Micron project in Central New York demonstrates the scale of opportunity — thousands of direct jobs and ripple effects across the supply chain.
But challenges remain. Workforce readiness, capital access, resilient supply chains, and supportive infrastructure all require attention. No single company or institution can address these alone. Collaboration among industry, education, and government is essential.
That is exactly where NY MEP comes in. Through a statewide network of 11 regional centers, NY MEP helps small and mid-sized manufacturers modernize operations, develop products, adopt new technologies, and strengthen supply chains. Since 2019, this network has delivered more than $7.6 billion in economic impact and supported over 32,700 jobs for New York manufacturers.
The alignment between D’Agostino’s vision and NY MEP’s work is clear: both call for deliberate investment, strategic partnerships, and bold action to secure New York’s manufacturing future.
Read James D’Agostino’s full guest opinion on Syracuse.com: NY manufacturing can lead the world again — if we invest in it.