Telling one factory from another

Another one-off general question from yours truly. A "factory" as defined within the rules is a centre for the industrial manufacture of goods, but the word has a second meaning (more common in the 18th C?) as a trading-station on some far-flung isle or continent. I'd like to build some of the 2nd kind - will the costs be the same as for the manufacturing kind of "factory"? Any other insights/advice/experience on this idea?

In G8 I have established a trading outpost that I call a factory in the manner you're talking about. It consists of a trade mission, a covered market and exchange (at the moment) and I raised each bit as normal and just declared they were all part of the 'factory'

Have set up Factories in both Colonies & in the home provences, it has always been my understanding that the concentrate all the elements that are required in the trade product that is to be made there, so in the Colonies it could include trade posts etc, maybe the circiúmstances & method of manufacrue are more a factor than anything else.

Hmm... two very different approaches there (both possible interpretations of the Rules!) and they both work (?) One is much cheaper and less effort than the other, though. So I guess it's time for some personal experiment, and see how things go. Thanks both!