A 2016 report of Virginia Manufacturing Directory revealed that the state's manufacturing employment has risen for the fourth straight year. The VMD is an industrial base and directory published by Manufacturers' News, Inc. in Evanston, IL.

Based on the VMD's database of manufacturers, the state of Virginia added 1,733 manufacturing jobs beginning December 2014 and ending on December 2015, a gain of one-half percent.

Currently, this state is home to 6,166 manufacturers with 336,391 workers employed. According to MNI reports, Virginia has recently added 9,134 industrial jobs, an increase of 2.8 percent from December 2011, regaining 21 percent of previous losses during the recession.

The improving economic situation in Virginia is also reflected in its latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate report.

According to this report, in December, its labor force continued to rise (+8,972) as more people reported they are working (+7,782) and individuals entered the labor market looking for work (+1,190).

Virginia's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is still below the national average. Its non-farm employment jumped by 6,800 jobs in December, and is now running to a total of 3,856.100.

"Virginia has wide-ranging appeal for manufacturers, ranging from its educated workforce and favorable business environment to its top-notch incentive programs and solid infrastructure," Tom Dubin said. He is the president of Manufacturer's News which surveys Virginia's industries since 1912.

"However, like much of the nation, a stronger dollar is putting a dent in growth, with job gains not as strong as in previous years," he added.

According to MNI's survey, gains in manufacturing were led by the transportation equipment industry, which improved 1.9 percent over the year and increased steadily during the past couple of years, and added 8,329 jobs or about 24 percent starting in December 2009. This industry is Virginia's biggest sector with regards to number of jobs. The transportation equipment industry employs 43,018 workers.