What did Columbus do?
Beautifying Youngstown with an art department such as jazz out of their Uni is one way of doing the betterance of the city. But that is peicemeal of all other things to do. That is: Job creation and a company that is not necessarily being a niche in the region (NorthEast Ohio), but one that can serve the nation and overseas.
Columbus never developed the manufacturing base that northern Ohio had. In the 1950s and 1960s, it lagged behind the rest of the state.
But over the last 15 years or so, the city underwent a transformation. It totally redid a lot of their older neighborhoods, and turned them into historical areas, or cultural centers. It poured millions into Ohio State, making it into a fine research university, and brought experts from all over the world to live in Ohio. Its become a center for the "indie music" scene, and has a ton of art gallaries.
Then, smart people started to move in. Now, its one of the centers for America's insurance industry, and a midwestern bankng center. The city's major industries also include health care and research. Thats why our population continues to grow, whereas almost everywhere else in the state is shrinking. Making the place desirable to live in *brings in* jobs as well.
Do you think that all the quality of life improvements on earth can make up for the rustbelt's lack of EITHER of the big W's (weather and water)?
My solution: the San Fernando Valley is expensive, and most porn people don't have much money. Therefore, make the rustbelt the pornbelt, and with the low cost of living you're bound to attract a massive porn industry. I doubt that the lack of museums would bother porn stars.
I think it can. Some of the rust belt does in fact have water (the great lakes). It does require an entire community to buy into the plan, and a lot of investment in your own citizens. Because the weather sucks, its even more important that our cities have the best schools (the upper midwest does), and have fun stuff to do.
Its hard, but a few cities have done it. Madison Wisconsin might be a good example, along with Columbus and the Twin Cities. Indy is trying to build an industry out of hosting every singe college sporting event...and I think there are a few others.
