New Balance has released its first-ever MADE in USA Economic and Social Footprint report, offering a comprehensive look at how the company’s long-standing commitment to American manufacturing has shaped U.S. jobs, GDP, and the economic strength of New England communities. The report focuses on activities from 2023 and 2024 and underscores the significant impact of the brand’s MADE program, which remains a defining pillar of New Balance’s identity.
New Balance Strengthens Its Commitment to American Manufacturing
As the only major athletic footwear manufacturer still producing shoes in the United States, New Balance continues to double down on its domestic production strategy. Since 2021, the company has invested $155 million into expanding its U.S. factory footprint. This substantial financial commitment has allowed New Balance to integrate advanced technologies while still preserving the skilled craftsmanship that has characterized its shoemaking heritage since 1938.
Today, New Balance operates five factories across New England: Skowhegan and Norway in Maine; Lawrence and Methuen in Massachusetts; and a new Londonderry, New Hampshire facility scheduled to open in early 2026. Footwear produced under the MADE in USA label contains 70 percent or more domestic value, although these products make up a limited portion of total U.S. sales. Nevertheless, their economic and social impact is profound.
MADE Investments Fuel Economic Growth
President and CEO Joe Preston emphasized the cultural and economic importance of these initiatives. “Our commitment to American manufacturing, which we call MADE, has always been an integral part of our company heritage and culture,” Preston said. He added that the new report demonstrates how these ongoing investments have driven significant contributions to both the U.S. economy and local communities.
According to the report, New Balance generated $3.1 billion in total U.S. economic impact in 2024, a 23 percent increase from the previous year. Of that figure, $479 million came directly from MADE operations, highlighting the essential role domestic manufacturing continues to play in the company’s broader economic footprint.
Job Creation and Workforce Impact
Furthermore, New Balance remains a major employer across the country. The company currently supports more than 5,000 U.S.-based Associates, including 1,200 MADE employees working in domestic manufacturing roles. The report notes that each MADE Associate supported 2.5 times additional U.S. jobs in 2024, demonstrating how manufacturing positions help sustain broader economic activity.
In addition to creating jobs, the company’s MADE footprint allows it to invest deeply in the well-being of the communities where its Associates live and work. This local presence amplifies New Balance’s ability to respond to community needs and contribute to long-term regional growth.
Investments in Community Well-Being
In 2024 alone, New Balance and the New Balance Foundation donated over $28 million to charitable causes across the United States. These investments focused on empowering underserved populations, expanding access to healthy lifestyles, and supporting education and career-readiness programs. Youth development, nutrition access, and recreational opportunities were central themes of these initiatives.
Moreover, New Balance funded several major corporate projects aimed at strengthening local institutions. These included a $10 million commitment to establish the Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport at the University of Massachusetts Boston, a $7 million donation to the University of Maine for a new Track & Field and Soccer Complex, and a $250,000 contribution to support early childhood education and care in Skowhegan, Maine.
Product Donations Amplify Community Support
Beyond financial contributions, New Balance also made substantial product donations to the communities where its employees live and work. From 2023 to 2024, product donations in Boston and Lawrence alone carried a wholesale value of more than $1 million, offering essential footwear and apparel to families and youth programs across these cities.
A Continued Legacy of American Craftsmanship
Altogether, the MADE in USA Economic and Social Footprint report highlights how New Balance continues to strengthen American manufacturing while generating meaningful economic and social benefits nationwide. Through ongoing investments in factories, people, and communities, New Balance demonstrates that domestic production remains not only viable but vital, both to the company’s heritage and to the future of American industry.
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