The Office of House Democratic Leader Robert Reives

As the North Carolina Legislative Caucus on Economic Development and Foreign Trade (“EDFT Caucus”) wraps up its first year in the General Assembly, co-chairs Representative John Bell (R – Wayne) and Representative Robert Reives (D – Chatham, Randolph) round out a successful and productive year with two key initiatives, creating a study committee to examine ways the legislature can foster manufacturing growth in the state, and filing a resolution in the House encouraging Congress to work more closely on economic and trade issues with Germany, one of the leading sources of capital investment and trade in North Carolina.

In response to the growing role that manufacturing is having in the North Carolina economy, the EDFT Caucus has established a caucus study committee to examine policies that the state legislature can explore to continue promoting job growth and investment in the manufacturing sector. The new Manufacturing Study Committee will be chaired by Representative Kevin Crutchfield (R – Rowan), Representative Zack Hawkins (D – Durham), Senator Jim Burgin(R – Harnett, Lee, Sampson), and Senator Michael Garrett (D – Guilford). Each of the chairs either represents a district of North Carolina with a strong manufacturing presence or has a background in manufacturing themselves.

The study committee plans to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore best practices and identify challenges and solutions. The committee’s efforts will focus on enhancing the state's manufacturing sector growth, supporting workforce development, and promoting innovation.

"Manufacturing is critical for every business across the state," said Representative Crutchfield, who has a background in manufacturing as the CFO for a sign-manufacturing company in his home county. “As a small business owner who provides jobs for over 50 North Carolinians in a manufacturing environment, I see on a day-to-day basis how manufacturing is the life blood of our economy. I am excited to participate and continue to support manufacturing across all industries by being a member of this committee."

Senator Garrett, whose district hosts manufacturers like HondaJet, which has been a leader for the growth of the aviation industry in the state and which recently hosted a diplomatic visit from Governor Roy Cooper and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in April, emphasized the need for collaboration: "Guilford County has a proud history of manufacturing that has fueled our local economy and provided jobs for our community. As a co-chair of the new Manufacturing Study Committee, I aim to build on this legacy by addressing the unique challenges and opportunities we face in our region, attracting high-tech manufacturing firms and ensuring that North Carolina remains a competitive and innovative hub for manufacturing well into the future."

Representative Hawkins, whose district includes the bulk of the Research Triangle Park and notable manufacturing companies such as IBM and Wolfspeed, highlighted the potential for innovation: "The formation of this study committee reflects our commitment to fostering innovation, creating high-quality jobs, and ensuring our state remains a leader in manufacturing excellence. By working together, we will identify opportunities and overcome challenges to build a robust and sustainable future for manufacturing in North Carolina." 

Senator Burgin, whose district is experiencing substantial growth driven in large part by manufacturing investments by companies such as Pfizer and Caterpillar, including a recently announced $400 million investment from Japanese pharmaceutical company Kyowa Kirin, added, "If we don't act soon to support manufacturing, including related to agriculture, and particularly in rural counties, we're going to miss out on a golden opportunity."

Additionally, at the end of June, the EDFT Caucus co-chairs, Rep. Robert Reives and Rep. John Bell, also introduced a resolution highlighting the strong economic and cultural ties between North Carolina and Germany.

HR 1076, titled “Expressing German Friendship”, specifically urges Congress to work more closely with Germany on trade and economic issues. By doing so, it seeks to strengthen the economic ties between North Carolina and Germany, recognizing the mutual benefits of the robust partnership. Currently, Germany is one of the largest originators of foreign direct investment for North Carolina, with German companies contributing $2.2 billion over the past ten years in new capital investment and employing over 40,000 North Carolina residents.

Moreover, the resolution serves as a celebration of the enduring friendship between North Carolina and Germany. It pays homage to the impact of German culture and immigration on North Carolina, acknowledging the contributions to our state’s rich heritage, such as the founding of Winston-Salem, the state’s first capital in New Bern, and contributing namesakes for counties such as Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and New Hanover. 

Joining Rep. Reives and Rep. Bell in sponsoring this resolution are Rep. Terry Brown and Rep. Jay Adams, whose districts host German companies such as Siemens Energy and Klingspor Abrasives.

Representative Reives expressed his optimism regarding the resolution: “Germany is one of America’s closest allies in Europe and a cornerstone for democracy worldwide. The partnership that exists economically between North Carolina and Germany goes back to the very early days of our state, and it has driven a lot of innovation and job creation through to the present day. Our resolution highlights this unique relationship and brings attention in a way that we hope will encourage both sides to continue to work together in building towards a stronger relationship and a more prosperous future for both countries.”