| The Rust Belt which has also been called the | | | | pay people in other countries to do the work for |
| Manufacturing Belt are various states in the | | | | less than American workers could. This resulted in |
| Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic and the Upper Midwest. | | | | jobs lost for Americans. |
| The Fox Valley area is included in this area where | | | | Free trade also resulted in the struggle of this |
| a Fox Valley handyman operates his Fox Valley | | | | region. Industries learned that steel could be |
| bathroom remodeling. This whole region got that | | | | produced for a lot less in third world countries |
| name for the various types of manufacturing | | | | than in the US so they started to get it from |
| plants that were scattered particularly in the steel | | | | there rather than in America. By getting the |
| industry. Much of this took place in Illinois, | | | | supplies through free trade from other countries it |
| Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana and upper parts of New | | | | has totally changed the supply and demand factor. |
| York. It closely followed the river or the lakes | | | | With no supply of steel here in the US, there is no |
| region. The term rust belt came about in the | | | | demand for it either and the cycle continues to |
| 1970's when the industry declined and many | | | | where we must rely on other countries for |
| factories were closed. The only thing left from | | | | certain items. This too, has caused hardship on |
| these buildings were their rusted gates. | | | | this region. |
| This area became the main area for industry and | | | | Many people have also been spreading out from |
| manufacturing for it's proximity to navigable | | | | the larger metropolitan areas that are in this |
| waters and access to various resources. There | | | | region like Chicago, Duluth, Philadelphia, Buffalo and |
| was a big population boom that occurred bringing | | | | Pittsburgh deciding to go out into the suburbs |
| many immigrants to these areas for work and | | | | where it is more affordable than in these |
| using the rivers, lakes and the railroad proved to | | | | downtown areas. This has created less work and |
| be all good for shipping purposes. Things for a long | | | | jobs in the cities and more opportunities out in the |
| time flourished in these states that were part of | | | | suburbs that have nothing to do with industry as |
| this manufacturing belt. | | | | it had always been before. This rust belt region |
| Some of the problems started occurring when | | | | has recently seen an increase in jobs since 2008 |
| other countries such as China were able to | | | | with some new industries happening. They are |
| produce things for a lot less by paying their | | | | dealing with biotechnology information technology, |
| workers considerably lower wages. This produced | | | | and hydrogen cell development as well as some |
| enormous competition for the United States and | | | | other newer businesses. This has been a great |
| we were not able to accomplish the same things | | | | boost for this region and the residents here are |
| for such a small amount as China could. This | | | | hopeful that it will prosper again like it did prior to |
| created outsourcing where companies started to | | | | the 1970's. |