June 18, 2026 Publisher’s Letter

Volume 29 | Issue 2

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The conversation around competitiveness is changing.

For years, economic development and business growth were largely measured by familiar benchmarks- tax structures, incentive programs, access to markets and cost advantages. While those factors remain important, the stories in this month’s issue of Industry Today make it clear that a new set of drivers is emerging.

Across the United States, manufacturers, economic development leaders, technology providers and workforce organizations are confronting the same reality: growth today depends on preparedness.

Preparedness means having the energy infrastructure to support expanding industries. It means creating development-ready sites that can move at the speed of modern investment decisions. It means building workforce pipelines capable of supplying advanced manufacturing, aerospace, logistics and technology sectors with highly skilled talent. And increasingly, it means developing the digital foundations necessary to support AI, automation and autonomous operations.

This issue highlights how regions and organizations are responding to these challenges. From Buffalo Niagara’s reshoring momentum to Oklahoma’s efforts to redefine what it means to be business-friendly, economic development leaders are demonstrating that long-term competitiveness requires strategic investment in infrastructure, workforce development and operational readiness.

In South Carolina and Alabama, we see how manufacturing growth is being fueled not only by industrial expansion, but by a commitment to preparing the next generation of workers. Workforce development is no longer simply an education issue – it has become a defining business imperative.

The same theme appears throughout our technology-focused features. Harry Moser of the Reshoring Initiative explores how advanced manufacturing technologies and workforce training are working together to strengthen domestic production. Schneider Electric examines the growing role of autonomous operations in improving efficiency, sustainability and resilience. World Wide Technology looks at why so many AI initiatives struggle to move beyond pilot programs, highlighting the importance of strong operational foundations. And WhereWeGo offers a thoughtful perspective on the future of workforce marketplaces and the digital infrastructure required to connect people with opportunity.

Taken together, these stories point toward a common conclusion: technology alone is not enough. Neither is talent. Neither is infrastructure. Success increasingly belongs to organizations and communities capable of bringing all three together.

As industries continue to evolve, the most successful regions, companies and institutions will be those that invest not only in innovation, but also in the systems, people and partnerships necessary to transform innovation into sustainable growth.

We hope this issue provides valuable insight into how leaders across manufacturing, economic development and technology are navigating that challenge and creating new opportunities in the process.

Thank you for reading Industry Today.

— Susan Poeton, Publisher

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