Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, McLean County was primarily recognized as home to State Farm and Illinois State University. Now, it symbolizes a rising trend of manufacturing jobs in small cities. With Rivian ramping up from 300 to 8,000 employees, and the establishment of a new candy factory, these developments underscore a notable shift from its previous economic identity.
The area showcases a trend bringing more factories to small cities due to lower living costs. As Patrick Hoban noted, we are experiencing a significant manufacturing rise, which is unprecedented for a town historically centered around insurance and education.
Joseph McCartin highlighted that manufacturing has been steadily increasing since 2010, recovering from the Great Recession, and the pandemic prompted a temporary interruption. The new emergence of jobs and rising wages suggests a hopeful trend for the sector.
According to a report by the Economic Innovation Group, McLean County is part of a broader rebound in U.S. manufacturing jobs after decades of decline, marking the first complete recovery from a recession since the 1970s.
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