The New American Industrial Alliance and the National Reshoring Center today launched Ground Truth for the States, a national survey assessing the practical capacity of state and regional organizations to identify and act on import-substitution opportunities.
The initiative asks whether states can identify what companies are buying from overseas, determine where domestic manufacturing capability could serve that demand and turn promising opportunities into supplier-development, expansion or recruitment projects.
The survey examines current access to import intelligence, manufacturer capability information, matching methods, feasibility validation, statewide and regional coordination, technology, workforce and capital support, and the ability to track results.
“The United States has spent decades building sophisticated systems to move production offshore. We need to bring that same sophistication to understanding what we can produce here at home and where we should be investing to expand those capabilities,” said NAIA President and CEO Julius Krein. “State and regional leaders have a critical role to play in bringing together manufacturers and investors to build a stronger American industrial economy. This initiative can help identify where those connections are working and where we have opportunities to build something better.”
"Import substitution starts with demand that already exists," said Ed Ryan, Founder of the National Reshoring Center. "This survey will help us understand whether states have the practical ability to connect that demand with domestic manufacturing and support the work needed to move an opportunity forward."
State commerce and economic-development agencies, statewide organizations, manufacturing associations, MEP centers, regional and local EDAs, chambers and aligned partners are invited to respond. Participants should answer from their organization's knowledge and identify the geography they serve.
The objective is a national baseline of reported capabilities, common gaps and useful practices. To complete the survey, click here, by November 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern. NAIA & NRC plan follow-up interviews with willing participants and target December for a summary of findings, subject to response coverage and review.
The New American Industrial Alliance (NAIA) is a multi-sector trade association dedicated to creating the next American manufacturing renaissance. We are builders, investors, and policymakers united in our commitment to steer America toward the policies, partnerships, and institutions that will unlock the full potential of our innovation engine and capital markets. America’s techno-industrial prowess is key to restoring manufacturing capacity, bolstering national security, rebuilding trust between citizens and their institutions, and ushering in a new era of prosperity for Americans of all economic classes.
The National Reshoring Center is a nonprofit organization focused on helping states identify and act on import-substitution opportunities through advocacy, education, partnerships, research and state-level implementation.
