For the past century, the word “infrastructure” conjured images of concrete and steel, specifically the roads, bridges, ports, and power grids that form the physical backbone of our economy. But recent global shocks have revealed a critical, missing element in this definition.
The fragility of long, complex supply chains has shown that the ability to make things when and where they are needed is just as vital as the ability to transport them.
We are at a defining moment. It is time for a paradigm shift. We must start treating manufacturing capability as fundamental national and global infrastructure rather than a series of isolated private enterprises.
The Case for Manufacturing as Infrastructure
Traditional infrastructure is defined by its foundational nature: it is essential, resilient, standardized, and accessible. In today’s volatile landscape, our manufacturing base must share these qualities.
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