Ingram's March 2023

processor fabrication to the Kansas economy would deliver a wealth of financial diversity and resilience to what is already a strong financial base. Our Kansas sons and daughters have an other reason to

ing infrastructure have propelled us to the top of the list for companies look ing to make these types of investments. Our team has been laser-focused on embracing the new opportunities we’re seeing in this industry.” Manufacturing A Smarter Future A new manufacturing plant is a reason to celebrate, of course, but an addition of that magnitude can make big ripples in a community, especially in a smaller or rural setting. For starters, where do you find the people? The housing? The child care? “It’s a multifaceted but good prob lem to have,” Stovall said. Part of the answer, she said, comes from the advancements in technology and automation—what Stovall calls the “whole ‘work smarter’ kind of thing.” The other prong will be a more con- certed effort around training a work force that can not only work these advanced machines but also work on them—programming, maintaining, etc. Many of the state’s universities and community colleges are already launch ing and expanding existing programs

designed to attract students looking to enter the manufacturing field. “These are good-paying jobs. Kids are going into these programs in an earn-while-you-learn sort of a mod el, and they’re coming out with very little, if any, debt,” she said. “It’s re ally exciting where these programs are going—just the different way we’re thinking about manufacturing.” The state has also established the Office of Registered Apprenticeship to connect employers with workers and developed programs to address the skills gap currently facing companies. Toland said these initiatives, which are designed to nurture relationships among education, businesses, and economic development entities, are crucial because manufacturing is so key to the state’s future growth: “Great manufacturing jobs help preserve our way of life in Kansas,” he said. “They drive opportunities for more folks to put down roots and pro vide for themselves and their families. Each new job created in manufactur ing is a life changed.”

The state’s manufacturing industry employs one out of 11 Kansas workers. 1/11

stay and invest here at home now.” Advan ced manu facturing has been a key part of the state’s economic

Source: Kansas Manufacturing Council

develop ment strategy for a while,

and the latest wins are examples of how the state is working to “reshore” key industries, said David Toland, Secretary of Commerce and right- hand man to Gov. Laura Kelly. “Disruptions in global supply chains have led companies to seek a stronger U.S. footprint, to ensure on time and on-budget manufacture and delivery of their products,” he said. “Kansas’ central location and outstand

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