For Labor candidate Bernard Fitzsimon, a regional transport hub at Parkes was the key project

"This would be the biggest thing for the western end in the last 50 years," he said.

He said the central west should be the food and fibre centre of NSW, while the Local Jobs First Policy would allow companies who use local suppliers and apprentices a 25 per cent price preference on government contracts.

"Preferably I would like to see the Rural Fire Service relocated here because it's a major department with a rural and regional focus," he said.

Greens candidate Janelle Bicknell said the future of employment was in renewable energy, with the solar thermal station at Jemalong near Forbes an example of what could be achieved.

"They started with three employees and they now have 45 in a three-year period and they are looking at getting subcontractors from Forbes as well," she said.

She said many people set to lose jobs in the manufacturing sector were retraining in aged care, but TAFE training needed to be affordable.

However, Nationals incumbent Andrew Gee said manufacturing should not be ruled out just yet.

"Other countries with high wages still seem to be able to manufacture," he said.

He pointed to MSM Milling, which processes canola for export to China, as an example.

The Coalition will expand its Regional Industries Investment Fund by $75 million, and Orange projects will be given priority.

Mr Gee said just 21 Electrolux employees were yet to enrol in the retraining program and it would become a model for other areas experiencing job losses.

He also said the $38 million the government would spend on water security projects would ease impediments on economic growth.