Localizing the Recession: Warren, Ohio

If you need a reminder of the impact of the financial crisis and recession on ordinary people, visit the Columbus Dispatch website today for the story on Warren, Ohio and its 30 year recession.

Once dominated by the steel and auto industries, Warren, located in Northeast Ohio near the state of Pennsylvania, is a microcosm of the fall of the manufacturing midwest.

When you think back to the quality of life enjoyed by many blue collar workers from the 1950s to the 1970s – and the quality of their American-made products – it opens the door of doubt on the efficacy of buying cheap crap from China.

Changes in the practices and ethics of the big businesses who employed America’s manufacturing workers had a lot to do with our demise here in the Midwest.  But, if we are to solve the problems going forward, we need to realize that the unions have had their part in the fall.

• Unemployment Rate in Trumbull County, home of Warren = 14.2%
• Poverty Rate = 14.6%