America Still Manufacturing

Think America is a "has been?" You have plenty of people with whom to share that opinion. We've been hearing about the death of America's manufacturing sector for decades.

The idea is completely wrong.

True, the U.S is offshoring or giving up low-value-added production. And the remaining sector employs fewer people. But the remaining sector still "contributes 22% of global manufacturing output and ranks third, behind Germany and China, as a manufacturing exporter, with an 8.1% market share."

That is one of the exciting facts coming from "US Manufacturing: Still the One," a report by Turner Investment Partners in Pennsylvania.

Want ore good news? "U.S. manufacturing exports increased by 60% from 2000 to 2008." And the value of manufactured exports are almost 10 times as much as agricultural exports (57% vs. 6%).

But that is still good news for rural entrepreneurs. Manufacturers are hiring fewer people, because technology has made factories so efficient, but we still have a base of potential customers that make stuff.

Midwest Development Manifesto

The longer I live in the Midwest, the more I like it. While most of my business is still in Asia, I realize that I  have something to offer that will bring the region out of economic doldrums. 


The Midwest has many remarkable companies, and should not concede to foreign competition. The tide is turning back in our favor.

People in the Midwest are smart, industrious, and prudent. Through those traits, we have built lasting companies. 

Our remaining need is to capture insight and skills the companies need to progress to the next level by hiring from outside the region. 

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The first question that every executive needs to ask is: "Do you have an Asia strategy?" If you do not, your days are numbered. 

Community Development

The Nauvoo Commuter spent last week in Moline, Illinois learning ways that Nauvoo can improve. It was the Midwest CDI Conference.

First impression: clever sayings on power point presentations... I've seen this about 10,000 times.

Final impression:
all these community leaders, who to some degree compete for resources, were helping each other. Both leaders and participants were tremendously generous with sharing ideas from the lessons they have learned in each of their towns. Coming from the private sector, the Nauvoo Commuter was impressed by the openhanded view that the CDI system encourages.

Being allowed to participate in this whole event was humbling.

Starving for International Stimulus

I own a polo-style shirt with a print of the St. George cross and the word "ENGLAND" emblazoned across the back. It is a gift from English friends who hoped that I would become a diehard English rugby fan, but alas my interaction with sport is still limited to the last game of the NBA finals. Now the shirt has become an indicator of my rural Midwest lifestyle.

I wear the shirt annually, and the last time was when I popped over to the Walgreens in Burlington, Iowa. 

A middle-aged man approached me begging conversation. We're not usually that forward here in the America's heartland, so I was surprised. It quickly became obvious that he was desperately hoping to hear my British accent. I really wanted to add color to his colorless life by obliging him with a Dick Van Dyke cockney-chimney-sweep impression ("evnin' Guvna"), or perhaps an impersonation of Alec Guiness*, but by the time I realized his wish it was too late to be sincere. So I was left to apologize for being born in the U.S.A. 




* "Use the Force, Luke," or alternatively "I suppose if I were you... I'd have to kill myself," or my favorite, "Without law, Commander, there is no civilization."

Naturally-Grown Nauvoo

We have one new farmer in Nauvoo organically growing produce to sell locally. We are gathering momentum for locally grown food.

Locally Grown Nauvoo

Announcing the formation of Locally Grown Nauvoo. The purpose is to encourage people to eat food that is grown locally. The co-op sells in Illinois and in the tri-state area.

The energy from food grown near your home is healthier than food imported from another region.

Nauvoo Organic Producers Association

Today I would like to announce the formation of the Nauvoo Organic Producers Association. The beginnings are small, but we are dedicated to eating Locally Grown food, sustainably growing, and developing exports for Nauvoo.

Quite auspicious, we think. 

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