RALEIGH Gov. Pat McCrory declared Oct. 3-7 as North Carolina Manufacturing Week, as a tribute to one of the state’s economic resources. Manufacturing accounts for $88 billion in production, which more than 20 percent of North Carolina’s gross domestic product.”North Carolina’s manufacturing economy leads the Southeast in employment and is respected around the world for its innovation, quality and productivity,” said Gov. McCrory. “From aircraft components and home furnishings to food products and life-saving medication, we are a state with companies and people making things the world needs.” North Carolina has more than 10,000 manufacturing businesses and employees more than 461,000 people. Since early January 2013, the state business income tax rate has been cut from 6.9 percent to the proposed 3 percent in January 2017. The Tax Foundation determined North Carolina has the most improved business tax climate in the country since 2013. “North Carolina’s manufacturing industry is highly competitive on a global basis,” said Commerce Secretary John Skvarla. “We drew nearly $2.7 billion in foreign direct investment into the state last year, and 93 percent of that capital went into manufacturing projects.” Gov. McCrory, Skvarla and the governor’s senior leadership team will visit manufacturers around the state this week, Starting with an announcement at Printful, which is set to open a facility to employ 200 workers at the end of 2018.
