California manufacturers are feeling the pressure as they navigate the rocky terrain of tariffs imposed by President Trump. These tariffs have created a whirlwind of uncertainty, leaving many companies in the lurch. Lance Hastings, the president and CEO of the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, explained that the past year has been more like a rollercoaster ride than a steady climb. With supply chains stretched both domestically and internationally, businesses are struggling to find their footing.
To add fuel to the fire, California’s energy costs are about double the national average, making it hard for local manufacturers to compete with other states like Oregon and Nevada. Hastings pointed out that the state’s high costs are raising the bar for doing business, turning a potential manufacturing boom into a costly ordeal.
As if that weren’t enough, Hastings has long been advocating for a tax credit to ease the burden on manufacturers, a move that Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed twice now. With the local landscape changing and smaller manufacturers quietly disappearing, many are left wondering if the heart and soul of California’s manufacturing sector can survive the storm. It makes one think: will California wake up before it’s too late?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
