SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Reviewing data for 483 U.S. metro areas, financial technology company SmartAsset has ranked Talladega-Sylacauga as number one in The Best Places to Work in Manufacturing.
The financial technology company studied data on employment growth in manufacturing, income growth in manufacturing, density of manufacturing jobs, and housing costs. Factors in SmartAsset’s analysis, based on Census Bureau data, included manufacturing as a percent of workforce (39.4% for Talladega-Sylacauga), job growth from 2014-2015 (up 3.4%), income growth from 2014-2015 (up 6.2%), and income after housing (an average of $58,461, second highest in the list and more than $10,000 higher than next in the list).
“It’s a surprising report in that people don’t realize how many manufacturing jobs we have … and how well they pay,” said Calvin Miller, Executive Director of the Talladega County Economic Development Authority. “This attention will surely make our area more attractive to other manufacturing firms.”
Sylacauga’s perfect score of 100 was followed by number two at 97.38. Rounding out the top 10:
2. Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, S.C.
3. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah
4. Rockford, Ill.
5. Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, Ky.
6. Greenville, N.C.
7. Napa, Cal.
8. Amarillo, Tex.
9. Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisc.
10. Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Wash.
The Talladega-Sylacauga Micropolitan Statistical Area is comprised of Talladega and Coosa Counties. The area’s top employers include Honda, by far the largest with more than 4,500 employees, along with Legacy Cabinets (650), Kasai North America (553), Nemak (450), Fleetwood Metal (400), Resolute Forest Products (285), Masterbrand Cabinets (275), Blue Bell Creameries (250), Precision Strip (125), and Southern Alloy (100).
In 2016, Talladega-Sylacauga was ranked number 11.