Technological and economic changes have created new opportunities in small-scale manufacturing and the “maker” economy, which present a chance for communities to make progress on several important economic development issues.
Small-scale manufacturing can grow local entrepreneurship and small business, develop or enhance new and existing economic sectors, and revitalize downtowns and business districts.
A new report from Smart Growth America and Recast City examines how small-scale manufacturing has emerged as a powerful way to tie opportunity to place, and can fill a key missing piece in today’s local economic development and neighborhood revitalization toolbox. It’s titled Made in Place: Small-Scale Manufacturing and Neighborhood Revitalization.
This new old economic trend is diversifying the manufacturing sector and allowing many more people to produce and sell their own goods, and community leaders want to know: what are some of the characteristics of small-scale manufacturing, and how does it fit within their downtowns and neighborhood centers?
This new report answers these questions, and illustrates how encouraging more small-scale manufacturing in downtowns and neighborhood centers can help create a more resilient and inclusive small business environment, increase the accessibility of the local job market, and create a foothold for future growth.