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The Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center Network The Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center Network or IRC Network is the collaborative effort of seven private notforprofit Industrial Resource Centers IRCs strategically located throughout Pennsylvania to serve the Commonwealths 15000 small and midsized manufacturers and their 560000 employees. The IRCs were established in 1988 to assist manufacturers in responding to changing markets new technologies and the competitive pressures of a global economy. Today the IRCs represent the Commonwealths flagship program for providing manufacturers with the training assessment advisement and technical expertise they need to continue to thrive provide wellpaying jobs and lead Pennsylvanias economy. As the Commonwealths only economic development investment specifically focused on manufacturing the IRCs and the IRC Network preserve and strengthen Pennsylvanias position as the nations 8th largest manufacturing state and keep the Commonwealths 3rd largest employment sector and 2nd largest sector in terms of total annual payrolls running strong.