For the first time in at least 25 years, the 12-month-average for the number of manufacturing jobs in the Baltimore area could be poised to grow in 2015. Manufacturing jobs averaged 55,500 in the first nine months of the year. Compared to the average of 54,700 for the entire year of 2014, that’s a little than more a one percent increase.

If the number stays steady or even increases during the last few months of 2015, this will be the first year the figure has increased from the prior year. This is a good sign for the area, which lost 100,000 manufacturing jobs from the 1950’s to the 1990’s.

Although the uptick probably doesn’t mean there will be a boom, it does give them a bright side to look at. Local economists hope advanced manufacturing could help the increase continue. It presents them with the chance to reclaim lost jobs and regrow their manufacturing industry.