JOBS w/ Mike Dunn & Katie Mills, SHRM-SCP – How Will Tariffs and Manufacturing Affect Jobs in NC? (Non-Political)

JOBS w/ Mike Dunn & Katie Mills, SHRM-SCP

If you’re looking for a political debate, this isn’t the place. I’m not interested in partisanship — I’m interested in jobs, especially how today’s economic shifts and trade regulations may impact job creation in North Carolina and the Southeast.

Let’s focus on what’s actually happening — and what it means for local economies.

What’s Happening with China’s Economy?

I’ve followed and written about China’s economy for years — the good, the bad, and now, the leaving. Thousands of manufacturers are relocating operations out of China, and here’s why:

  • Mounting cost pressures and supply chain risks
  • Increasing tariff uncertainty — changing weekly in some cases
  • Loss of long-term financial value in Chinese operations
  • The Chinese Banking system is failing,  
  • The PRC has many onerous regulations for manufacturers.
  • Unreliable power grid (actually one of the biggest reasons to leave)
  • The explicit threats of war in the South China Sea and the resulting supply chain problems.

Companies are actively shifting production to India, Mexico, the Philippines, Vietnam, South America, and, yes — back to the U.S.

What Does This Mean for the U.S. and NC?

As manufacturing returns to the U.S., especially in North Carolina, the impact goes far beyond factory jobs. When one employer sets up shop, they bring:

  • New direct jobs in manufacturing and logistics
  • Support jobs in local businesses (restaurants, stores, contractors)
  • More stability in local economies as wages are spent and reinvested

This isn’t a theory. It’s already happening.

Mexico, Tariffs, and Auto Manufacturing

Auto Manufacturing
Auto Manufacturing

Tariffs are also changing the math in Mexico. It’s now cheaper in some cases to build cars in the U.S. than abroad. The jobs we are gaining are the jobs Mexico is losing.

That’s why Toyota’s massive new plant in Liberty, NC (just south of Greensboro) is a big deal. The ripple effect on job creation across the state will be felt for years here and the the locations below.

Recent Announcements — Jobs Coming to NC & SC

Here’s a snapshot of companies bringing jobs and growth to North Carolina and South Carolina:

North Carolina

  • Genentech – $700M manufacturing plant in Holly Springs, 400 jobs (biotech) (Near Raleigh)
  • US MgO – New plant in Brunswick County, 35 jobs (magnesium oxide) (Wilmington)
  • HSP US – Plant in Charlotte, 74 jobs
  • PPG – $380M aerospace coatings plant in Shelby

South Carolina

  • Eaton – Transformer plant in Jonesville (south of Spartanburg)
  • Isuzu – Automotive manufacturing in Greenville County (Greenville, SC)
  • Vertiv – Infrastructure plant in Pelzer, 300 jobs (south of Greenville, SC)
  • Komar Industries – Facility in York County, 160 jobs (Charlotte Area/Rock Hill/Ft. Mill)
  • Homanit – Wood materials plant in Clarendon County (south of Sumter)
  • Mega Metal – New operation in Fairfield County (north of Columbia)
  • Xoted Biotech – New lab in Spartanburg County (Spartanburg)
  • Oldcastle APG – Expansion in Lancaster County. (South of Rock Hill)
  • Hissho Sushi – HQ and plant in York County (Charlotte Area/Rock Hill/Ft. Mill)
  • Aerowerks – First U.S. site in Cherokee County (Gaffney – at the big peach on I-85)
  • Techo-Bloc – Manufacturing in Lexington County (near Columbia)
  • NorthMark Strategies – New site in Spartanburg
  • Heidelberg Materials – Distribution terminal near Bluffton
  • TL+CO Business Solutions – New site in Beaufort County (Near Hilton Head/Bluffton)

Bottom Line:

Jobs are returning. Growth is shifting. And North Carolina and the Southeast are becoming hubs of modern manufacturing and logistics — regardless of politics.

Meet the Authors:

Mike Dunn
Mike Dunn

Mike Dunn

Mike spent 24 years as a Major Accounts Manager for a Fortune 50 IT company before launching three businesses that focus on job creation, workforce development, and customer service:


GameChangingBusinessSkills.com: “A good job solves a lot of problems.” Get the free list of 170 job titles ranked “first to worst” in chart form as of 5/3/25. These charts help non-college grads, recently downsized workers, single parents, seniors, and real estate professionals land jobs and grow in their careers. The goal? Help people land a median-paying CSR 1 job (~$40,230 as of 5/22/25 -salary.com) and teach insider tips to get
promoted fast. The value proposition is: “IF” this focused video training, certificate, and 6 months of job leads help you get a CSR 1 job at this median salary.com posted rate, the “payback is less than the four full days on the job.” Less than one week. Want the ranked job list from first to worst? (free for now). Click the category for the appropriate free download:


(*) Disclaimer – The “Customer Service Representative Certificate” online video course with six months of job leads for six months is the best & most effective entry-level jobs course on the market. However, legally, we can guarantee you will get a job at the median salary.com US rate or even get a job.

SUTATaxSavings.com: “B2B” Specializes in helping downsizing companies reduce their (SUTA) State Unemployment Tax liabilities. If companies don’t save more than our fee, we refund the difference. The value proposition: huge upside for the company and former employees with a zero financial risk guarantee.


NearshoreElite.com: “B2B” Operates a secure, bilingual inbound contact center in a prime location in Mexico. The value proposition: we deliver a 50% to 100% ROI for clients through top-tier 24/7 customer service with a far lower costly average turnover rate, improving the benefits of better customer retention and customer satisfaction.

Katie Mills, SHRM–SCP

Katie Mills, SHRM-SCP
Katie Mills, SHRM-SCP

Katie is a passionate HR professional with deep involvement at both the local and national levels of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She brings real-time insight into hiring trends, workplace culture, and the evolving expectations of employers in today’s labor market.

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