New Jersey has a long history as a center for manufacturing in the United States, dating back to 1791 when Alexander Hamilton established the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufacturers (SUM) in Paterson. The location was chosen because of Paterson’s Great Falls, which provided power, and its closeness to New York City’s financial centers. This move helped make New Jersey one of America’s first industrial hubs.
Chrissy Buteas, President and Chief Executive Officer of the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey (HINJ), reflected on this legacy. “The mid-1800’s Industrial Revolution isn’t the typical opening line of an article about New Jersey’s high-tech advanced manufacturing in 2025, so I won’t start there—which is good, because New Jersey’s role as a leading manufacturing hub doesn’t begin there either; it actually predates both the Industrial Revolution AND the 1800’s. To trace New Jersey’s manufacturing history, we’d have to go back even further.”
She continued, “In 1791 (there, that’s better), Alexander Hamilton founded the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufacturers (SUM) and wisely chose Paterson, New Jersey, as the site from which to launch this national effort designed to promote and accelerate our young country’s industrial and manufacturing development capabilities. At that time, Paterson’s Great Falls served as a power source, and its proximity to New York City’s business and capital centers established New Jersey as one of the first industrial and manufacturing hubs in America. Read the full op-ed here.”
New Jersey continues to play an important role in medicine, medical technology, and advanced manufacturing today.
