In an age of convenience, global sourcing, and race-to-the-bottom pricing, “Made in the USA” has too often become a quaint notion—a nostalgic footnote rather than a guiding principle. But for those of us in the business of making things here at home, that label still means something. In fact, it may be more important now than ever before.
I lead Faribault Mill, a historic textile mill founded in 1865 in the town of Faribault, Minnesota. Over the past 160 years, our mill has outfitted pioneers heading west, supplied blankets to American troops, and woven itself into the fabric of American life. And like so many domestic manufacturers, we nearly lost it. By 2009, the mill had shut down. The looms were silent, the workforce gone, and the community left wondering what would come next.
We chose revival. In 2011, a team of believers brought the mill back to life—not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing example of what American manufacturing can still be: resilient, modern, and deeply rooted in purpose. We’re now one of the last fully vertical textile mills in the United States, managing every step of production—from raw wool to finished product—all under one roof. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it.
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