The Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) celebrated manufacturing on Friday during a manufacturing lunch meeting. Two guest speakers attended to educate local businesses and community leaders on the status of the industry in Carroll County. Kelly Swenson, from MidAmerican Energy Manufacturing, explains how important manufacturing is economically.
About 37 companies in Carroll County can be classified as a manufacturing business, and they have seen a 12 percent growth per year since 2013. Manufacturing creates continuous innovation, and one new method, 3D metal printing, is at the forefront of the industry says an expert from the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) at Iowa State, Peter Nadolny.
This technology can cost nearly $5 million over a 10 year span for a company to purchase this type of equipment. 3D printing allows for companies to create more intricate parts or to make pieces previously impossible due to design restrictions. This technology has seen use in other fields with plastics or even printing food.
