YORK COUNTY — The number of manufacturing jobs in York County plummeted by nearly 50 percent from 2000 through the end of 2013, according to the U.S. Census.

In nearly the same time period, from 2000 to 2014, the median household income in York County fell 12.4 percent to $55,482, according to a new report by the Pew Charitable Trust.

But those who keep a watchful eye on the industry say the manufacturing sector is in a rebound.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery hired 830 new workers in 2015, and while the nuclear submarine repair facility lost 350 to attrition in the same period, the figures represent a gain of 480 employees. The shipyard draws its workforce primarily from southern Maine and New Hampshire.

In North Berwick, Pratt & Whitney in March rolled out a plan to train 150 workers for the aircraft engine parts manufacturer, citing more work at the plant as well as the need to replace workers who are retiring.

And machinists who complete a York County Community College training program in Sanford are scooped up as soon as they’re ready for work, said Sanford Economic Growth Council director James Nimon on Tuesday.

“My take on manufacturing in Sanford-Springvale is that every (company) held their own,” as the recession took hold in 2008, said Nimon, pointing to Flemish Master Weavers, Tom’s of Maine and GVS (formerly Maine Manufacturing) as examples. “We’re steady and gaining.”

Paul Schumacher, director of the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission, said the county is slowly making gains in the manufacturing sector. But he also hears that some employers are having a hard time finding skilled workers.

“The question is, as the shipyard and others fill (jobs), where are their employees coming from – perhaps from other companies in the region,” said Schumacher. “This speaks to the issue of needing to continue the training regimen at the community college.”

The figures that show the plummet in manufacturing are from the U.S. Census County Business Patterns Report, which showed 12,738 manufacturing jobs in York County in 2000.

By the end of 2013, that number was nearly cut in half – there were just 6,386 jobs left in the manufacturing sector in the county, census figures show.

Schumacher said the loss in median household income during the 2000 to 2014 time period is worrisome, and speculated it might be tied to the losses in York County’s manufacturing sector during the same time frame.

From 2000 to 2013, York County lost a number of large manufacturers, including Westpoint Home and Hostess in Biddeford, and Vishay Sprague in Sanford, among others.

However, there are still jobs making rugs at Flemish Master Weavers, repairing those nuclear submarines in Kittery, crafting aircraft engine parts at Pratt & Whitney, building stadium seating at Hussey Seating, and much more.

Schumacher pointed to the shipyard, Pratt & Whitney and others, including the textile industry, where companies such as Hyperlite Mountain Gear is designing and manufacturing outdoor products in Biddeford, and Jagger Brothers in Springvale, which has been producing “Jagger Spun” yarn since the 1880s.

“It’s not all doom and gloom, said Schumacher. “I think manufacturing is here to stay.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.