If we look at the Manufacturing industry by major industry groups, we can make several observations. The largest annual average employment in 1996 was in chemicals and allied products. Until this reclassification, the largest employer was printing, publishing and allied industries. Some major groups showed very high growth rates but had only a very small number of employees. For example, furniture and fixtures showed a growth rate of 143.9 percent, but in 1996 employed only 100 people.
Areas also increasing are apparel and other finished goods along with primary metal industries.
However, again this is primarily due to two SIC reclassifications from the Mining industry to chemicals and allied products. This will increase employment from 865 employees in 1990 to 2,582 in 2005, an increase of 198.5 percent. Another group projected to grow is apparel and other finished products, which is projected to increase to 343 employees. This translates into an increase of 206 employees from 1990-2005 or 150.4 percent. Some groups are projected to decline within the industry.