The north central, or Montachusett, region is located at the geographic center of New England and has a history of manufacturing prominence in paper, fabricated metal, machinery, furniture-making, clothing, and plastic products. Today, workers are highly skilled in precision tooling, mold making, fiber optics, and other emerging technologies. These workers, combined with the presence of the region's 14 major institutions of higher education, make the area an optimal location for firms that unite research and development with precision production.