5 modern manufacturing hubs

Although San Antonio is better known for technology and biomedicine, the local Chamber of Commerce recently reported that manufacturing is a $14.4 billion local industry. Manufacturing started booming in 2003, when Toyota opened a San Antonio plant. The city has attracted 30 new automotive manufacturing facilities in the last three years: five car manufacturers set up shop in 2007 alone. Businesses benefit from the low cost of living and educated workforce, as well as relatively low energy costs. San Antonio is also a convenient hub from which to move goods: the city offers convenient access to several major interstate highways, an international airport, and a new $90 million Union Pacific rail terminal.

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