How Americans can Supercharge American Manufacturing

When many people start something new, they tend to want to dive into the deep end. Looking to start a new diet? Cold turkey. Out with the old and in with the new food. Even those who are new to working out, they typically will work out seven days a week for over an hour a day until they get burnt out. When being introduced to buying American made products, many think in the same terms. Many believe that they need to stop buying everything that they have to only buy American-made products. Would that be great? Absolutely. Is it realistic? Maybe, but maybe not. Maybe as the product offering increases that will be possible, but until it is, even small American-made purchases can have a big impact on America's economy.

In this article, we are going to discuss what would happen if Americans allocated $1,000 per year on American-made products and the kind of economic impact that could have on our country, our businesses and communities. The ripple effects could transform the landscape of American manufacturing, job creation, and economic stability. Let's explore how this simple change could bolster the future of American businesses.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Power of Buying American-Made Products
3. Economic Impact of $1,000 Spent Annually
4. Potential for Job Creation
5. Supporting American Businesses and Communities
6. Challenges and Considerations
7. Conclusion

The Power of $1,000

Imagine the collective power of Americans deciding to allocate $1,000 of their annual spending to domestic products. Considering the large population, this would inject billions into the American economy. According to recent statistics, Americans spend over $13 trillion annually on goods and services. Redirecting even a fraction of this toward American-made products could lead to substantial growth for local companies.

There are many articles that discuss the expenditures of Americans and it appears that the average American consumer spends only about 2% of their annual budget on domestically produced goods. A shift to investing $1,000 per year would boost this percentage significantly. More importantly, it could elevate the demand for these products, paving the way for American manufacturers to expand their operations, innovate, and hire more workers.

The potential growth isn't just theoretical. Historical data shows that when consumers support domestic products, companies thrive. Let's break this down into some simple numbers to follow. There are about 134,000,000 (134 million) Americans who work full-time in this country. If every one of those Americans were to allocate $1,000 of their annual budget towards American-made products, that would equate to $134 billion being spent on American businesses and manufacturers. The Department of Defense believes that for every dollar spent in U.S. manufacturing that it adds an additional $2.79 to the greater economy. This means that the $1,000 spent by each American on American-made products would generate $373 billion in economic activity in other sectors of the economy. So, not only are Americans directly getting supported through the purchase of American-made goods, but so are other Americans in the industries that they work in.

Job Creation

As mentioned above, one of the most profound impacts of increased spending on American-made products is job creation. More demand equates to more production, which naturally requires more workers. It's not just manufacturing jobs that would benefit; the ripple effect spreads to various sectors of the economy. That is the piece that is often overlooked.

For every new manufacturing job, it's estimated that 4.8 additional jobs are created in the overall economy in America. If each American working full-time spent $1,000 more on domestic products, it's projected that hundreds of thousands of new manufacturing jobs could be created, leading to over a million new job openings in the greater economy. That is how you build the economy from the inside.

The global annual trade volume for manufactured goods has grown to over $15 trillion. That means that American-made products can be in demand both domestically and internationally.

Economic Stability and Growth

Spending more on American-made products doesn't just create jobs; it stabilizes and grows the economy. When companies thrive, they invest in research, innovation, and infrastructure—all of which contribute to a healthier economic environment and communities.

Historically, periods of increased domestic spending have coincided with economic booms. By choosing American-made, consumers can help reduce the trade deficit—currently hovering at unprecedented figures—which in turn strengthens the dollar and bolsters the country's financial standing.

Supporting local industries also insulates the economy against global market fluctuations. Dependence on foreign goods makes the economy vulnerable to international crises, like trade wars or pandemics. Robust local industries can sustain the economy, ensuring continued growth even when global markets falter or weaken. Again, this does not mean globalized trade should or will go anywhere, it means that meaningful purchases can strengthen communities all across the country. A healthy home leads to a strong community. A strong community contributes to a prosperous state. A prosperous state leads to a powerful nation. That is what supporting Americans and their businesses can do. Something that is often overlooked or even taken for granted.

Challenges and Solutions

Despite the clear benefits, buying American-made products does come with challenges. Availability can be an issue, as not all products are made locally or can easily be sourced within the U.S. Additionally, domestic goods may sometimes carry a higher price tag, making them less appealing to cost-conscious consumers. Although, many can argue that the more American manufacturing is supported, the cheaper products will become since companies will be able to properly invest in R&D.

However, these hurdles aren't insurmountable. Increased demand will naturally lead to better availability as companies ramp up production. For pricing, consumers can prioritize quality over quantity, recognizing that investing in well-made products often pays off in the long term. Is it better to buy one product for $100 that will last years or something for $12 that may not see the next season?

Educating Americans is key. By raising awareness about the benefits of buying American-made goods, more people may be willing to make the switch or at least add it to their list of options. This is at the foundation of what our mission is - to educate and equip.

A Generation of Change

The notion of supporting American-made businesses might seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing endeavor. By simply allocating $1,000 a year to domestic products, consumers can drive significant change in their communities and the country. This single act can lead to job creation, economic stability, and an overall boost to our nation's financial health.

Every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. By choosing American-made, Americans have the power to shape the economy and ensure prosperity for future generations. We will continue to invest in solutions that help shape that future and put a spotlight on American-made companies.