Smaller legacy cities face shared and common challenges which have increased the urgency for economic development strategies that draw a stronger connection from growth to the prosperity of local communities. In these places, small-scale manufacturing is a strategy that has produced early results and demonstrated strong potential for supporting local economic growth. This brief offers a practical introduction to small-scale manufacturing as part of a strategy for community economic development. It highlights models across three case study cities of Akron, OH, Duluth, MN, and New Bedford, MA, that are utilizing an ecosystems-approach that helps small-scale manufacturing businesses start and scale where they are. It combines examples of ongoing small-scale manufacturing strategies with evidence-based data and proven strategies for implementation in order to offer a sense of possibility for smaller legacy cities, arguments to support advocacy for local small-scale manufacturing, and leads to start developing such ecosystems for peer cities. Within each case study city, it also examines the intersection of small-scale manufacturing work with sustainability and racial equity.