MANUFACTURING.
THE CORE OF OUR ECONOMY.

Maybe it's because I grew up on a farm, but I've always had a lot of respect for people who work in manufacturing jobs. Here in Clark County we make computer chips, pulp and paper, metal parts, packaged food, electronics equipment, wood products and machinery. These jobs are valuable because they tend to pay more and offer more job security, giving people the confidence to buy houses and cars, furniture and new boats.

The county's manufacturing sector has had a rough ride in the past 10 years with closures and cutbacks in some of our most prominent industries... aluminum and paper, for instance. So with today's expanding economy, where does manufacturing fit in and what's ahead? Columbian business news writer Courtney Sherwood talked to industry executives and economists for our B2B cover story. The news is good.

Sincerely, Julia Anderson
COLUMBIAN BUSINESS EDITOR
julia.anderson@columbian.com