How did the economy change in the north after the steam engine was invented?

Question:Steam engines were used to power machinery in the growing numbers of factories and also helped to make transportatiio of these new manufactured goods possible.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Steam engines were used to power machinery in the growing numbers of factories and also helped to make transportatiio of these new manufactured goods possible.

Prior to the invention, rivers supplied the motion (motive power) for machining and manufacturing. Once the steam engine came along, factories could move into cities and towns; they didn't have to be along the rivers anymore.