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Community Development Reports

The State of Urban Manufacturing: Cincinnati City Snapshot

The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and the Urban Manufacturing Alliance (UMA) partnered for a study of the urban manufacturing sector in Cincinnati to learn more about the city’s manufacturing environment. For this study, researchers analyzed industry data, and, to supplement the insights from this data analysis, they engaged local industry participants. The researchers conducted a survey of more than 100 of the city’s manufacturing firms and hosted focus groups with service providers and manufacturers ranging from small makers to mid-size manufacturing firms.

The findings of the study reveal that 96 percent of the survey respondents expect to grow in the next two years. However, survey respondents and focus group participants cited numerous barriers to growth, including finding qualified workers, gaining access to capital, reaching new markets, and gaining access to services. The focus group discussions uncovered helpful recommendations for addressing challenges faced by Cincinnati manufacturers and supporting growth in the industry.

The views expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland or the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Suggested Citation

Foggin, Mark, Lisa A. Nelson, and Ann Marie Wiersch. 2018. “The State of Urban Manufacturing: Cincinnati City Snapshot.” Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, Community Development Reports.