Making, Scaling, and Inclusion

Making, Scaling, and Inclusion explores what it will take to grow an equitable innovation economy rooted in manufacturing and making, especially for communities that have historically faced barriers to economic participation. Building on the work of the Equitable Innovation Economies initiative, this report—developed by the Urban Manufacturing Alliance, Pratt Center for Community Development, and PolicyLink—draws on lessons from cities like New York, Indianapolis, San Jose, and Portland. It highlights how community-centered strategies, like connecting youth to manufacturing careers and investing in businesses owned by women and people of color, are being tested and adapted across the country. The report argues that equitable economic development is possible when innovation ecosystems are designed with inclusion in mind. It calls for intentional commitments from policymakers, community organizations, and industry leaders to scale successful equity-centered models and ensure that all residents can access the opportunities of a revitalized manufacturing sector.