2017 Theses Master's

The Politics and Policies of New York City's Manufacturing Industry

Loomis, Melissa

The proliferation of the manufacturing industry and creation of manufacturing jobs has been a lasting part of economic development policy for American cities at both the State and local level. The study of economic development policies and changes in manufacturing compare changes among cities or regions and are most often inconclusive or offer mixed results, begging more localized understanding of the industry. This thesis explores how economic development policy specific to the manufacturing sector is created and implemented in New York City. Understanding the state of manufacturing-related policy and its effectiveness requires understanding and influences over a significant time period. The analysis of the research and the findings is developed in three parts in the following sections, a compilation of statistics related to the manufacturing industry and the labor in New York, a survey of legislation and policies enacted in New York City meant to impact industrial activity in New York City, and results of Interviews conducted with experts involved in creating or working with policy related to the manufacturing industry in New York City. Findings from the research are then developed into recommendations for future policy and research.