Why is Upstate New york, Northwestern Pennsylvania, Ohio basically economically dead?

Question

Well, parts of Ohio

Answer 1

That region of the country was industrialized in businesses that are no longer viable in this country, such as steel, a forge, etc. The death of those businesses over the last 50 years was concurrent with other factors that make new development too costly. Some of these factors are (1) development of environmental laws that made rehabilitation of the industrial sites for other uses too costly (what buyer would assume a contaminated site, if the new owner could be responsible for cleanup?), (2) increases in energy costs (what plant would relocate north if it could reduce operating energy costs by to a mid-Atlantic region?); (3) aging infrastructure, which result in higher taxes for maintenance, (4) fewer businesses and an aging population (note that PA doesn't tax Social Security or retirement benefits) bear the tax burden, including taxes to pay for retirement benefits for public servants that were promised in booming times (and which are being paid by this reduced tax base); (5) fewer industries means fewer career opportunities for young people, and less opportunities for growth. Getting people to relocate becomes harder and harder, so even companies willing to consider to a region have to think twice if their employees won't move. Employees may not care that they can hunt, if they have to travel hours to a good airport for business travel (Cleveland, Pittsburgh or Buffalo), won't have a neighborhood Starbucks, and fear that if they lose their job they'll be stranded in an area without other economic opportunities. 6) the cost of moving materials and goods becomes much more expensive. Railroad spurs have closed, so more products have to be moved by truck at $2.61 gallon or whatever it is today. 7) aging infrastructure has a limited life span. Schools, community centers, etc. were built in boom times, and are approaching an end to their life spans. Internet connections, cable, and other services required by businesses and employees alike are not as available as they are in newly developed areas of the country, which are competing for the same share of the economic pie.

Obviously, it's even more complicated. Some cities such as Cleveland are slowly managing a rebirth with great effort, developing a small tourist industry with attractions such as the RockNRoll Hall of Fame, the football Hall of Fame and the House of Blues. Other cities are stuck in reaction mode, trying to keep things going with dwindling resources instead of using limited resources for long-term investments. They may not be able to match the incentives for business relocations and startups offered by booming areas, since they simply can't afford them. It's a downward spiral.

Answer 2

Last summer, I went on a road trip from Wisconsin to Annapolis, to visit some cousins. On the way, we stopped in the amish areas of both Ohio and Pennslvania. I wouldn't call them "ecnonomically dead." Those amish are making a killing off tourism! Have you seen what they're asking for furniture?? Or "amish tours?" Wow, they are wealthy. Really, it was a pretty boring vacation, though. As for upstate NY, I have been there a few times and really enjoyed it. I especially enjoy the Adirondack region. A region does not need to be wealthy to be enjoyable. I love the peaceful lakes. hills, trees, small towns, etc. of upstate NY. It's a place where you can go to get away from urban life. Have you seen Frank Llyod Wright's Fallingwater in Pennsylvania? Or paddled the Youghiogheny river? Again, a region doesn't have to be a shopping mecca to be "alive." Those of us who appreciate nature very much enjoy travelling to these so called, "economically dead" areas.
P.S. I have seen "Champ," the sea monster who lives in Lake Champlain. So has my brother. Fascinating!!

Answer 3

Living in Canada, I can tell you that update New York has a booming economy for Canadian companies who want to have a physical presence in the US for ease of access to the US markets. In the eastern part of upstate NY, you are very close proximity to Montreal, and western upstate NY is very close to Toronto, which are the two largest cities in Canada.

Answer 4

From what I can tell they're not and I live in Western PA....

Answer 5

Nobody wants to live there. It is too friggin cold!!!