In addition to its strong agricultural industry, North Carolina is the second largest in animal processing and manufacturing and is home to Tyson, Campbell's and Smithfield. The state has a dynamic manufacturing industry and produces a wide range of products such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco, making it the country's leader in tobacco manufacturing. North Carolina also manufactures chemical products such as synthetic fibers, cleaning products and pharmaceuticals, as well as electronic communication equipment and computer products. The state ranks fifth in the entire country in the production of manufactured products, representing 4.6% of all manufactured products in the US.
It is also the leader in manufactured items in the southeastern region of the country, with the manufacturing industry accounting for approximately 20% of the state's GDP. The industry employs 460,000 people, with chemicals being the main subsector of the manufacturing industry. Small-scale manufacturers in North Carolina make up the majority of the industry, with 10,400 manufacturing organizations - 80% having fewer than 50 employees and 51% having fewer than nine employees working in the company. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services oversees responsibilities in regulatory and service areas that cover different aspects of agriculture and manufacturing. Over the past century, North Carolina has grown to become a national leader in agriculture, financial services and manufacturing.
The state's industrial production, mainly textiles, chemicals, electrical equipment, paper and pulp, and paper products, ranked eighth in the country in the early 1990s. The textile industry was once one of the pillars of the state's economy but has been losing jobs to producers in Latin America and Asia for 25 years - although it remains the largest textile employer in the US. Furniture production has also been seriously affected by job shifts to Asia (especially China) in recent years. North Carolina is a work-at-will state, meaning that private sector employees can be fired without notice or reason. The state's tourist destinations include amusement parks, golf courses, wineries, beaches, mountains and sports facilities - employing more than 190,000 people.
It is also ranked sixth most visited state in the US (preceded by Florida, California, New York, Nevada and Pennsylvania). The North Carolina Department of Commerce maintains a Tourism Service that provides matching funding and consultation for tourism development in the state. There has been a clear difference in economic growth between urban and rural areas of North Carolina. Ernst & Young and the State Taxation Council also ranked North Carolina as having the lowest state and local tax burden in the US. Organizations such as North Carolina Automotive Research Center (NCCAR) - an independent non-profit center focusing on research, development and testing of automotive products - employ more than 9500 people.
The North Carolina Outdoor Recreation Industry Office works at a state level to support and grow outdoor recreation economy across the state through collaboration with businesses and local communities. Before the war, South shipped its cotton to North and Europe; now North Carolina's textile mills processed staple crop and kept profits. In 1789 it became twelfth state to ratify country's constitution; 1861 declared secession joined Confederate states. Its long history as furniture manufacturing center continues into 21st century. Organizations such as North Carolina Technology Association advocate for innovation facilitate professional connections by bringing together leaders from industry government education. The North Carolina tourism industry has experienced growth despite economic recession around year 2000.
It is also base for industrial innovation; home to North Carolina's Global TransPark Kinston. In mountains northwest foothills cattle raising chicken husbandry widely practiced. State also home to some most important film festivals Southeast such National Black Theater Festival RiverRun International Film Festival Winston-Salem Full-Frame Documentary Film Festival Durham BluMoon Film Festival Greenville.
