The Road Through the Rust Belt: From Preeminence to Decline to Prosperity

By now the story is familiar. A once-booming midwestern city whose growth was fueled by manufacturing is now struggling with a lack of jobs, declining population, abandoned properties, creaky infrastructure, and desperate finances. Inhabitants often flee to areas offering economic opportunity and better schools. Yet others stay, seeking and often finding entrepreneurial opportunities that are helping restore lost prosperity.

This cycle of preeminence to decline to prosperity is the subject of this insightful book. The contributors discuss many of the common reasons why these cities suffered decline and the many solutions proposed and efforts already undertaken that seek to reverse the decline and spur rejuvenation.