Rust Belt Regionalization

13Dec2007 Filed under: Blogs, Buffalo, Economic Development, Erie, Pittsburgh, Youngstown Author: Peter Panepento

The calls for an organized effort to bring together thinkers in Erie and other Rust Belt enclaves such as Pittsburgh, Youngstown, Cleveland, and Buffalo is on.

And Erie looks like the central place for having that discussion.

As I’ve stated earlier, GlobalErie would love to play a key role in making this effort happen and in helping to further the discussion.

One idea that seems to be catching hold among other bloggers in this part of the world is finding a way to encourage more H-1B visa immigration to cities in the Rust Belt.

The theory would essentially attempt to rebuild these old industrial cities in the same way in which they were originally built — by hard-working immigrants who started their own businesses or worked multiple jobs to create better opportunities for their families.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Would partnering with other cities (generally Erie’s competitors in the business- and people-attraction game) help Erie long term? Is an organized effort to make the Rust Belt more immigrant-friendly a potential path to growth?

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6 Responses to “Rust Belt Regionalization”

TJ
December 13th, 2007 at 10:12 am

The concept of attracting the H1-B’s is very good and I know some that came here on one and have created a tech company and have thus far stayed. Hands down–it works. However, the reason the came to Erie in the first place is because of college. Typically, they would have left and I do not know of a similar story to theirs.

With this said, we need to create incentives (jobs) that attract these types of workers. We need to stop addressing symptoms and start solving underlying issues. Simply offering more H1-B’s won’t work.

Originally, immigrants came to Cleveland/Erie/Buffalo/Pitt region to work in the steel mills, coal mines, and shipping industries, among others. There was opportunity and work. What are we doing to attract them now since those jobs are simply history?
Erica
December 13th, 2007 at 11:08 am

I agree- the main problem we need to solve is the availability of jobs and work for individuals. Erie is a great place. But they’re not going to come here for the beaches and the sunsets and the occasional visit of Kevin Bacon’s band– they need a job, and if there’s nothing here for them, they won’t come.
Radio Free JoJo
December 13th, 2007 at 12:54 pm

If John Dineen needs 200 engineers next year and H1-B’s will fit the bill, come in and buy houses, and pay taxes, then so be it!
Jim Berlin
December 13th, 2007 at 5:39 pm

Yes, I have said all along that one of the coolest things we have going on here at Logistics Plus is the people we have bought from around the world to work and live in Erie. They bring a vitality, a work ethic, smarts, ambition, as well as an “immigrant’s appreciation” of this great nation to our community.
I agree. I love the fact that our overseas employees help add to the fabric of life in Erie.
Good idea.
JB
Julio C. Reyes
December 14th, 2007 at 12:40 am

I agree,

Thank you all. Maybe one day all together we could bring Erie finally to the global market and the 21st Century.

Jim Berlin, I love your comment the only things you missed was “Culture” and “Food” :]
John Morris
December 16th, 2007 at 7:28 pm

It’s pretty self evident that increasing H1B availability targeted at the rust belt would have a big impact. There is generally a real shortage of some of these skill sets so the chance of companies opening up offices is likely good. Already one does have some cost advantages at work. The lack of large pools of skilled employees is a big thing missing.

One big issue is that, I am not sure if the established tech areas are so likely to take this kind of thing lying down and they are likely to see this as a government subsidy and as unfair. Ironically, there is also not likely to be alot of local support for that kind of thing.
Places witha a lot of immigration tend to support more in most places without it, fear of outsiders is a big factor.

Anyway one slices it, just talking about the value of skilled immigrants will help make the midwest seem less backward.

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About 'Outside Erie'

Peter Panepento After more than six years working as a journalist in Erie, I'm now the web editor for the Chronicle of Philanthropy in Washington, D.C., and the publisher of GlobalErie.com. I still maintain close ties to Erie - a community that I care about deeply. I hope this Web site can help inspire a better future for Erie.

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