Molly Hemstreet, Executive Director, The Industrial Commons
In an interview with Invest:, Molly Hemstreet, executive director at The Industrial Commons, discussed the Materials Return initiative, workforce training, and why Burke County is positioned to lead the next era of textile manufacturing. and preparing students for emerging industries. “If we can honor our history while embracing what’s next, Burke County and our region as a whole can help define the future of American manufacturing,” Hemstreet said.
Burke County has a strong manufacturing heritage. What opportunities do you see for the region as it builds the next generation of the textile industry?
Burke County has the chance to lead the next chapter of American textiles because we have both the history and the people to do it. The goal isn’t to recreate the industry exactly as it was, but to build something stronger. We have generations of people who understand this industry, and that’s something you can’t “manufacture” overnight. The opportunity before us is to take that knowledge and pair it with innovation, new technologies, and new business models to create a textile industry built to last. I also think we have a chance to rethink what success looks like by creating businesses where workers have a real voice and where prosperity is shared more broadly. If we can honor our history while embracing what’s next, Burke County and our region as a whole can help define the future of American manufacturing.
How is the Material Return initiative helping companies reduce waste, strengthen supply chains, and create new business opportunities?
Material Return helps companies turn materials that would otherwise go to the landfill into fibers for new products, reducing waste while creating value. This process helps brands achieve their sustainability goals while also strengthening domestic supply chains and creating new business
opportunities for manufacturers in our region. What excites me most is that this work proves environmental responsibility and economic development don’t have to compete; they can reinforce each other. By building a circular textile economy, we’re creating good jobs, supporting local manufacturers, and helping companies tell a stronger story about how they’re doing business.
How are your sewing training programs helping manufacturers meet today’s talent needs, and what skills are most in demand?
Workforce is one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturing today, but it’s also one of the greatest opportunities. Our approach focuses on building long-term talent pipelines instead of just filling open roles. Through programs like our industrial sewing training, we’re preparing people with the technical skills manufacturers need today, while also providing professional development support so that when they land a job, they can keep it. Through our Work in Burke program, we’re helping young people connect directly with employers, gain real-world experience while they’re still in high school, and continue their education after graduation. We’re also thinking about the workforce we will ultimately lose. As experienced workers retire, we’re creating mentorship opportunities so that decades of knowledge and craftsmanship are passed on to the next generation rather than lost. The skills in highest demand certainly include technical abilities, but employers are also looking for people who can solve problems, adapt to new technologies, and continue learning throughout their careers. Building that kind of
workforce requires strong partnerships between education, industry, and the community– which is why we are partnering with the Manufacturing Solutions Center (MSC) and Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) through our National Science Foundation Engine grant to introduce practical applications of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) directly into the workplace.
How do you see The Textile Innovation Engine collaboration accelerating innovation and investment across North Carolina?
The Textile Innovation Engine—one of 20 Innovation Engines supported by the National Science Foundation—recognizes that no single organization can transform an industry on its own. Through a collaborative network that includes the NC State Wilson College of Textiles, NC IDEA, NC Department of Commerce, Manufacturing Solutions Center, Gaston College, Textile Technology Center, and Western Piedmont Community College, we are bringing together manufacturers, researchers, educators, government, and supply chain partners to create an ecosystem where innovation can move more quickly from discovery to the marketplace. That means helping manufacturers adopt new technologies, supporting entrepreneurs as they commercialize new ideas, and ensuring our workforce is prepared for what’s next. North Carolina has a remarkable textile legacy, but we’re not relying on history alone. We’re building on that legacy to position our state as the nation’s center for textile innovation. We want to advance regenerative materials, circular manufacturing, and advanced production while creating quality jobs and strengthening rural economies. Ultimately, this isn’t just about developing new technologies; it’s about creating a more resilient, competitive textile industry that benefits communities across North Carolina and the country. Because our region has the largest concentration of textile expertise in the country, we have a rare opportunity to strengthen domestic supply chains by keeping every stage of the textile value chain, from fiber to finished product and back again, here in North Carolina.
As companies consider expanding or investing in the region, what makes Burke County an attractive place for manufacturing today?
Burke County has all the ingredients companies are looking for. We have a deep manufacturing heritage, an experienced workforce, and an incredible network of partners who know how to work together. Through our relationships across North Carolina, we’re helping build supply chains that can source, manufacture, and even recycle products close to home. Whether it’s farmers growing regenerative fibers, manufacturers producing textiles, or companies creating new circular products, we’re proving that it’s possible to make more products in North Carolina and keep more of that value here.
Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for The Industrial Commons, and what would success look like for Burke County’s manufacturing sector over the next five years?
Our priority over the next five years is to continue building the ecosystem that will make Burke County a national leader in sustainable manufacturing. That means creating places where innovation can thrive, investing in people, and ensuring that economic growth benefits the communities that make it possible. The Innovation Campus will become a hub for entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing, and the commercialization of new ideas. We’re also excited about projects like the Dixon Housing Cooperative, which recognizes that a strong workforce depends on more than jobs alone. By creating pathways to affordable housing and wealth-building, we’re investing in the long-term stability of our workers and our community. We will also continue expanding workforce development programs that connect young people, career changers, and experienced workers to meaningful opportunities here. Success, to me, is a Burke County where businesses choose to invest because of the strength of our people and partnerships, where workers can build lasting careers and wealth, and where our region is recognized as a model for how rural communities can lead the future of American manufacturing. Our vision has always been about more than growing an industry. It’s about creating an economy that is innovative, resilient, and rooted in the well-being of the people who call this place home.
