Oregon’s manufacturers support our state and local tax base. Employers in this sector contribute more than $33 billion each year to the state’s GDP, according to a 2021 report conducted by ECONorthwest on behalf of OBI and the Oregon Business Council. The report found that a 10% increase in manufacturing output would provide more than $800 million in additional annual revenues for state and local governments.
Oregon’s manufacturing economy is equitable. Manufacturing offers substantially higher-wage jobs for minority workers than other sectors.
Oregon’s manufacturing economy is at a crossroads. The COVID pandemic created enduring supply-chain disruptions, driving up prices for manufacturers and consumers alike. Many manufacturers also struggle to find skilled workers and contend with regulatory burdens that generate unnecessary costs and complexity. On the tour, we’ll explore the opportunities and challenges facing Oregon manufacturers.