Manufacturing and GDP are not necessarily the best thing for a good economy (not as one defined by keynesians).  There is so much focus on production but so little on what is produced.  Producing junk and cars doesn't equate to a better life, and buying new cars just because is almost like the broken window fallacy driving the economy.  Manufacturing is not a desirable job.  What about something that improves local society and lives?

We need better economic metrics.