Podcast Summary: Bloomberg Businessweek

Episode: New York City's Manufacturing Renaissance
Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec
Guest: Lindsey Green, President & CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard

Overview

This episode spotlights New York City's evolving manufacturing sector, with a particular focus on the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Hosts Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec sit down with Lindsey Green, President & CEO of the Navy Yard, to discuss the changing narrative around urban manufacturing, the opportunities and challenges for high-value production in a metropolis, workforce development, and how these efforts contribute to the city's broader economic health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Brooklyn Navy Yard: History and Present Impact

• [01:39] Carol introduces the Navy Yard: 300 acres, 550+ businesses, 11,000 employees, and $2.5B in annual economic impact.
• Historic Importance: Originally a shipbuilding site producing ships like the USS Maine and Missouri.
• Current Focus: Home to businesses spanning medtech, green tech, materials, fashion, electric motorcycles, and ongoing ship repair (GMD Shipyard).

The Role and Realities of Urban Manufacturing

• [03:02] Lindsey Green: Urban manufacturing thrives on proximity to skilled labor and end consumers—crucial for both talent attraction and immediate feedback on products.
• Notable Quote:
  “Being in a big metropolis is a great place to see and feel the applicability of whatever it is that you make.” — Lindsey Green [03:21]
• Types of Businesses: High-value, talent-intensive, or products directly consumed by New Yorkers.

Manufacturing in America—Shifts, Skills, and Challenges

• [04:45] Can the U.S. bring back manufacturing at scale (e.g. building iPhones)? Lindsey: Possible, but will require massive investment, new skills, and time.
• Why Skills Are Lacking:
  “We, I think, just stopped investing in them decades ago all across the country. It changed our education system, it changed the way businesses invested their money.” — Lindsey Green [05:02]
• Modern Manufacturing Skills:
  • High-tech competencies—computer literacy, troubleshooting, working with automated machinery.
  • “You have to have the same mental training because sometimes the machines break. You have to be able to triage and troubleshoot. But you need to know how to work in both the analog and the new high tech environment.” — Lindsey Green [05:29]
• Storytelling: Manufacturers focus on their products, not the “sexiness” of manufacturing jobs. Navy Yard’s mission includes promoting the appeal of these careers.

NYC Politics & Economic Climate

• [06:35] Discussion about NYC mayoral politics: Governor Hochul supports Zoran Mandani; Lindsey notes she serves at the pleasure of Mayor Adams and focuses on benefiting the city regardless of political shifts.
• [07:20] NYC Economy: Businesses are resilient but feeling the effects of tariffs, managing uncertainty and adapting as needed.
• Notable Quote:
  “Like most New Yorkers, businesses here are built to grind it out and hustle and get it done.” — Lindsey Green [07:25]

Jobs, Wages, and Accessibility

• [08:09] Are manufacturing jobs at the Navy Yard well-paying? Lindsey: They’re middle-class, “life sustaining” wages, accessible even with a high school education.
• Notable Quote:
  “For a true production employee, it’s a really good life sustaining wage. It is a traditional middle class job. You can support your family with these wages.” — Lindsey Green [08:09]
• Training Support: Initiatives like the STEAM Center and advanced machinery training ensure accessibility and upskilling for all.

Vacancy and Tenant Retention

• [08:41] Occupancy rates are generally high, with tenants tending to stay and grow within the Navy Yard due to flexibility and strong support.
• Notable Moment:
  Lindsey explains their “Swiss cheese” approach—moving tenants around as they grow, creating a dynamic ecosystem [09:06].

Community and Culture

• [09:35] Carol notes quality food and social spaces at the Yard; Lindsey agrees, highlighting the vibrant community culture.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Being in a big metropolis is a great place to see and feel the applicability of whatever it is that you make.”
  — Lindsey Green [03:21]

• “We, I think, just stopped investing in [manufacturing skills] decades ago all across the country. It changed our education system, it changed the way businesses invested their money.”
  — Lindsey Green [05:02]

• “You have to have the same mental training because sometimes the machines break. You have to be able to triage and troubleshoot. But you need to know how to work in both the analog and the new high tech environment.”
  — Lindsey Green [05:29]

• “Like most New Yorkers, businesses here are built to grind it out and hustle and get it done.”
  — Lindsey Green [07:25]

• “For a true production employee, it’s a really good life sustaining wage. It is a traditional middle class job. You can support your family with these wages.”
  — Lindsey Green [08:09]

Segment Timestamps

| Topic | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------|---------------| | Intro to Navy Yard & Economic Impact| [01:39-02:17] | | Manufacturing’s Urban Advantage | [03:02-03:45] | | Types of Manufacturing at the Yard | [03:48-04:20] | | Challenges of Scaling US Manufacturing| [04:45-05:16]| | Workforce Skills & Storytelling | [05:18-06:35] | | NYC Politics & Economic Mood | [06:35-07:48] | | Wages and Accessibility | [08:09-08:41] | | Vacancy and Tenant Retention | [08:41-09:35] | | Community and Closing Remarks | [09:35-09:54] |

Tone and Takeaways

• Optimistic yet Realistic: Both Lindsey and Carol recognize the hurdles but emphasize the city’s and the sector’s resilience.
• Community-Oriented: Repeated focus on supporting diverse companies, workforce development, and fostering a dependable jobs pipeline for New Yorkers.
• Forward-Thinking: Emphasis on the future of high-tech manufacturing in cities and the ongoing need to invest in education and skills.

This episode delivers a nuanced look at New York’s “manufacturing renaissance”—rooted in the past but focused on high-value modern production and workforce readiness for the future.