Job creation and the knowledge economy: Lessons from North Carolina's life science manufacturing initiative

Knowledge-intensive industries are expected to provide long-term economic prosperity for their host regions. The question persists whether these industries can also generate quality, stable jobs for a wide range of workers in these regions, particularly those with limited academic training. This article examines North Carolina's effort to respond to this challenge by integrating workforce and economic development functions in an effort to anchor life science manufacturing establishments in the state. By coordinating training, recruitment, and research activities, state agencies are influencing the location and employment strategies of life sciences firms in ways that are helping to foster a more socially inclusive transition to the knowledge economy.