Reshoring Initiative Seeking Survey Responses to Shape U.S. Manufacturing Policy Decisions
The Reshoring Initiative, in collaboration with Regions Recruiting, is seeking responses to its 2026 Reshoring Survey. U.S. manufacturing policy is being decided now — and it will directly affect costs, supply chain and competitiveness. The Reshoring Initiative is pivoting its strategy based on survey feedback.
The Reshoring Initiative’s goal is to collect data to get an accurate picture of the industry at this pivotal time in U.S. manufacturing history. This 10-minute survey questions how trade conditions, global risks and federal policies are affecting reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI) decisions. Survey responses go directly into the data used by policymakers and economic developers working to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. This survey is one of the most direct ways to influence policy outcomes.
The Reshoring Initiatives 2025 survey explored the likely impact of contemplated 2025 policy changes. The survey also revealed the strategic imperatives necessary for U.S. re-industrialization, including:
- Level the cost playing field
- Develop or grow a larger, skilled workforce
- Apply total cost of ownership (TCO) principles
- Prepare for geopolitical risk
The 2026 survey focuses more on the impact of actual policy changes, including taxes, tariffs and the resulting uncertainty, the need for a robust skilled workforce and training system and the expected impact of AI. This year’s survey assesses the rationalizations behind reshoring decisions in addition to the impacts of the 2025 federal policy changes.
Data provided will be analyzed by the Reshoring Initiative and Regions Recruiting to produce industry-wide reports and strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening the U.S. manufacturing sector. The findings will be shared with industry leaders as well as the Trump administration to help shape the policies that will benefit both manufacturing and the country.
“The pandemic was an eye-opener and now, the war with Iran is showing us what’s at risk when supply chains are disrupted. Most of our OEM clients continue to work on supply chain resiliency strategies — and the building of teams and technological capabilities required to execute them,” says Kathy Nunnally, managing partner at Regions Recruiting. “There is a bright future ahead for domestic contract manufacturers, that’s for sure.”
The organization is monitoring the responses coming into the 2026 Reshoring Survey and their heat map has some significant “cold spots.”
Source: Reshoring Initiative
Despite industrial output, the Reshoring Initiative has seen little to no participation from:
- Indiana: Often ranked number one in manufacturing as a percent of state GDP
- Michigan: The historical heart of the U.S. automotive industry
- Arizona: A leading hub for semiconductors and aerospace
- Tennessee and Alabama: Modern hubs for automotive and critical equipment
- South Carolina and Georgia: Centers for aerospace, automotive and more.
The Reshoring Initiative needs participation from these vital regions. With their participation, the Reshoring Initiative can provide the insights necessary to support U.S. re-industrialization.
The nationwide 2026 Reshoring Survey will remain open to respondents through July 15, 2026. The survey will gather experience and insights from manufacturing operations, supply chain/procurement decision-makers and contract manufacturers.
The Reshoring Initiative invites OEMs and contract manufacturers CMs to participate in this brief survey about the current trends in reshoring and FDI, shifting manufacturing operations and sourcing to the United States.
Your participation in the 2026 Reshoring Survey can help influence national policy. To access the full list of resources offered by the Reshoring Initiative, visit www.reshorenow.org/resources/.
