Manufacturing Remains a Cornerstone of Northeast Ohio’s Economic Strength

Team NEO report examines projections through 2030 

Team NEO released its Manufacturing Projections through 2030 report today, highlighting the importance of manufacturing to Northeast Ohio’s economy and the industry’s expected evolution over the next five years.  

Manufacturing is projected to be a key economic driver, accounting for nearly 16% of the region’s economic output through 2030, compared to the national average of 10%.  

The analysis includes all 14 counties in the region, with projections based on Moody’s and Lightcast data.  

Employment 

  • Employment is projected to remain relatively flat through 2030, however productivity and output per worker are projected to increase by 12%, driven by automation, advanced technologies and process improvements. 

Specialized Manufacturing Sectors 

  • There are strong growth opportunities in manufacturing subsectors such as food processing, metals & fabrication, aerospace, automotive, polymers, materials & chemical clusters. 

Workforce Demand Beyond Traditional Shop Floor Occupations 

  • The report identifies strong growth opportunities in manufacturing subsectors, increasing demand for engineering, digital and logistics talent, and a growing need for skills related to automation, artificial intelligence, data management and advanced manufacturing technologies. 

Technical Talent Pipeline Growing 

  • Northeast Ohio’s technical talent pipeline continues to strengthen, with completions in core technical programs increasing 29% since 2020, helping position the region to meet future workforce needs. 

“Manufacturing has long been part of Northeast Ohio’s identity, and today it remains one of our greatest competitive advantages,” said Team NEO Vice President of Strategy, Research, and Talent, Jacob Duritsky. “Continued investment in talent, technology, and modern facilities ensures our region is ready to support the next generation of manufacturing growth.” 

About Team NEO 

Team NEO is a private, nonprofit economic development organization that retains, expands, and attracts jobs, businesses, and opportunities across Northeast Ohio’s 14-county region.  As JobsOhio’s exclusive partner in Northeast Ohio, Team NEO connects businesses to the data, resources, sites, and incentives to win new business investment for Northeast Ohio. The organization also provides insights to build talent pipelines, prepares development-ready sites, and markets the region as a premier business destination. To learn how Team NEO helps make Northeast Ohio more competitive, visit northeastohioregion.com.  

About JobsOhio

JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development CoalitionLake to River Economic DevelopmentOhio Southeast Economic DevelopmentOne ColumbusREDI CincinnatiRegional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO. JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage.