Advanced Manufacturing

“If you want to attract economic development to the area, one of the selling points is that we have talent for you to bring whatever your respective business, industry here,” one expert said.

Southwestern Illinois College and St. Louis Community College will open new facilities to train people in areas such as computer-aided design. Local business leaders expect advanced manufacturing to grow into one of the region’s critical industries.

The sector has become a pillar of business opportunity that leaders want to develop in the region.