Chapter 5: The North American Manufacturing Core

Manufacturing is an important economic activity in the United States. The evidence of this is everywhere--in articles of clothing, items of preserved food, residential structures, means of transport and communication, and many other things. In spite of the presence of items manufactured outside the country, domestic industry remains paramount, and it is rare for any medium-sized U.S. town to be without at least some local employment in manufacturing. San Francisco is not part of the North American Manufacturing Core, but has some similarities.

The location of San Francisco means that there should be an easily flow with the means of transportation and communication.  The railway system is the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) which helps people commute in and out of the City without having to sit in their cars during traffic.  The central part of BART is San Francisco of course because of all of the office space that dominate the financial districts.  BART also makes stops at the Oakland Coliseum, SF Downtown shopping areas, and AT&T Park.  Many people also use the ferry system to commute to and from the City.  People who live on the east and north side of the bay frequent this mode of transportation.


Other famous manufacturing include: Levi's Jeans, New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) was built by General Motors and used to manufacture cars such as the Chevy Nova, Geo Prism, and Toyota Corolla.  The plant operated from 1984 to 2010.  When the plant closed more than 4,700 employees were out of a job. Some famous foods are del monte, Ghirardelli, and Rice o Roni.