So why is buying products made in America so important?

Not only is manufacturing important for jobs and production, but a vital manufacturing sector is also essential to meeting national challenges, including rebuilding U.S. infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and lowering the nation’s reliance on fossil fuels. Renewable forms of energy, such as wind and solar power, rely on manufactured components more so than extractable energy such as oil. A vibrant manufacturing sector will be needed to supply the new materials needed to rebuild America’s decaying infrastructure and to create a low-carbon economy.

Is manufacturing all that important?

about3The manufacturing sector employs workers at all skill and education levels, and is a particularly important provider of jobs with good wages for workers without a college degree. It employs a higher share of workers without a college degree than does the economy overall.

Manufacturing is one of the most dynamic sectors of the U.S. economy. It is responsible for roughly two-thirds, or roughly $208 billion, of all U.S. business research and development spending.

U.S. manufacturing employment was relatively stable between 1970 and 1998, and never fell below 16.5 million workers. The United States lost 5.7 million manufacturing jobs between March 1998 and 2013, as shown below.

 

So what can you do?

Imagine creating jobs with the swipe of your credit card or helping thousands of unemployed punch a time clock – all because you simply paid closer attention to your shopping decisions.

Buying products made in American is the most direct way anyone can support American manufacturing and manufacturing jobs. We, as Americans, have the ability to change our own course, expand our middle class, re-ignite our manufacturing base, and provide the opportunity for those less fortunate to join an expanding middle class.

It all starts with one purchase – from YOU!