(RALEIGH) -- Where are the jobs of the future? While many have talked about the demise of manufacturing, Billy Ray Hall with the North Carolina Rural Center offered a different take.

"Because of the research capacity and the willingness of our business people to take risk and develop markets, we'll be shipping things to them in the future which will be kind of exciting, but we'll also be producing a lot more of our products that have moved offshore.  They will come back onshore," said Hall.

He said the agriculture industry, including food processing, is also vital. Hall said there are currently almost 850 food processing plants in North Carolina.