Five Ways Industry 4.0 Is Revolutionizing Economic Development in NC

17 Oct 2024


News

Industry 4.0 is reshaping North Carolina's manufacturing landscape, and with it, the role of economic developers across the state. As highlighted in the recent "Best Practices for Growing Manufacturing in North Carolina" report, our approach to fostering industrial growth and competitiveness must continue to evolve to maintain our position as a global manufacturing leader. Here are five ways economic developers need to adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution:

1.  Redefining “Site Readiness”

Gone are the days when a flat piece of land with utility hookups was enough to attract manufacturers. Today's "shovel-ready" sites must also be "tech-ready." Economic developers are now tasked with ensuring industrial parks and sites have robust digital infrastructure - think high-speed broadband, 5G connectivity, and smart grid capabilities. This digital backbone is crucial for supporting the advanced robotics, IoT sensors, and data analytics systems that define Industry 4.0 manufacturing.

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