GREENSBORO — U.S. Senator Richard Burr didn’t mince words when describing the importance of the topic he was asked to comment about during the North Carolina Chamber’s third annual Manufacturing Summit.

Broad policy changes to how energy is delivered and used could be coming out of Washington, D.C., and Burr wanted North Carolina’s manufacturing sector to know how influential it could end up being.

“This is one of the most impacting issues we can talk about in Washington. It’s one of those issues you have to get right. We can’t afford mistakes,” Burr said as a part of a day-long gathering of executives from manufacturing companies, supporting businesses and utility providers.

“This is an issue that affects every family and business in the country,” Burr added.

North Carolina’s senior senator pointed out that significant energy policy alterations haven’t come from the federal government in more than three decades. With it now being a high-priority item on President Obama’s agenda, drastic reform might come sooner than later.

“We have consumed energy like it was unlimited and didn’t cost a dime. That day is over,” Burr said.

U.S. Senator Richard Burr Discusses Manufacturing in North Carolina 

U.S. Senator Richard Burr addressed North Carolina's business and political leaders June 8 at the 2009 North Carolina Chamber Manufacturing Summit in Greensboro, NC. In addition to speaking about the current state of manufacturing in North Carolina, Burr received the National Manufacturers Association Award. After delivering his remarks, Burr spoke with NC Magazine.

The senator went on to describe energy’s direct connection to manufacturing, specifically how sways in domestic prices affect North Carolina companies more than overseas operations. Getting a handle on energy pricing and predictability will be paramount to keep the state’s manufacturing sector strong.

“We are going to see manufacturing migrate to where the energy is. To think that isn’t true is foolish,” Burr said.

Reiterating their position to deliver the energy manufacturers need to succeed was a quartet of executives from some of North Carolina’s largest utilities. A panel discussion included Brett Carter, president of Duke Energy Carolinas; Rusty Harris, president of PSNC; Kevin O’Hara, senior vice president of corporate and community affairs with Piedmont Natural Gas and Lloyd Yates, president and CEO of Progress Energy Carolinas.

As the event carried on, the topic shifted to the importance of manufacturing in North Carolina. Dale Carroll, deputy secretary with the state Department of Commerce, stressed that “not a day goes by that I don’t think about the importance of manufacturing. It’s truly the fabric of our very being in North Carolina.”

That fabric weaves not only through North Carolina, but the entire nation. Hank Cox expressed that sentiment during his keynote address to the gathering. Cox serves as a vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers.

“It’s always good to get out of Washington and talk with real manufacturers,” Cox said.

Cox admitted that the manufacturing sector has taken its fair share of hits during the current recession and also previous downturns. But he reminded the group that a bottom to the recession likely has been reached, and prosperous days appear to be ahead.

“Recessions don’t last forever,” Cox said. “We will come out of this one.”

The summit also included a presentation by Christopher Guith, vice president for policy at the Institute for 21st Century Energy, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber. Also sharing their successes about the continually growing biotech sector in the state were representatives from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and the NC BioNetwork.

North Carolina Chamber president and CEO Lew Ebert opened the summit by reminding the gathering about five key areas in which the organization is working to facilitate productive policy that benefits manufacturing. The areas included tax policy, education and workforce development, water and environmental management, North Carolina’s legal climate and energy policy.

“We are committed to being involved in the process so that leaders in state and federal government make decisions to help you succeed and keep and create jobs,” Ebert said.

The third annual summit was sponsored by Duke Energy, GlaxoSmithKline, Piedmont Natural Gas, RSM McGladrey, Cormetech, Dixon Hughes, Nucor Corp., Progress Energy, UNC-TV, Wyeth, General Dynamics Armament & Technical Products, Glen Raven, PSNC Energy, Society of the Plastics Industry and Yonkers Industry.

Related Content: 2009 Manufacturing Summit Photo Gallery