Indiana Sparking Manufacturing Rebound

Indiana continues to be among the national leaders in post-recession manufacturing job growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the state gained 13,700 jobs in the sector over the past year. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report more than 500,000 Hoosiers work in manufacturing, which is still about 10,000 below the pre-recession level. The bureau says Illinois lost nearly 9,000 manufacturing jobs over the last 12 months, which is the largest drop in the United States. Two studies released earlier this summer also suggested gains in the sector. Illinois-based Manufacturers' News Inc. published a report showing the state added industry jobs for the third consecutive year. An inaugural study released by Northeast Indiana Works projected “moderate” job growth in the region of the next ten years. The organization says the industry is still in need of highly-trained workers.

Princeton-based Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. is one high-profile example of manufacturing growth. The company says it has added more than 200 workers since the beginning of the year and plans to add about 60 more by the end of the month. The hiring comes after the automaker announced a $30 million investment to increase Highlander production.

Sources: The Times of Northwest Indiana, Inside INdiana Business