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What are some company towns in your area or that you know of? What is the state of these communities? Is the industry still there or has it left? Has the character of the community changed over time? Due to the generally urban character/feel of these communities, could such places be in demand in terms of walkability while having relatively affordable housing?
What are some company towns in your area or that you know of? What is the state of these communities? Is the industry still there or has it left? Has the character of the community changed over time? Due to the generally urban character/feel of these communities, could such places be in demand in terms of walkability while having relatively affordable housing?
Gary IN. The founding company, US Steel, is still there and still the city's #1 employer. But automation has reduced the employment base to a fraction of its peak, and Gary's fortunes have followed suit.
It's not a separate town now, though it once was, but the Pullman section of Chicago was it's own company town in everything but name. It deteriorated along with a lot of South Side Chicago, but there are some plans to restore many homes there.
Gary IN. The founding company, US Steel, is still there and still the city's #1 employer. But automation has reduced the employment base to a fraction of its peak, and Gary's fortunes have followed suit.
For a long time, Elliott Lake was the major source of uranium in Canada. Two mines, and the town was a modern place with all the things that people want...schools, a mall, shops, and parks and a lovely setting in the middle of a huge forest. Paved streets, water and sewage treatment plants, a bus service, fire department, police service, ambulance and hospital.
Then.....the demand for uranium declined, and the mines both closed, and the population of 16,000 started to move away. The town faced a declining economy, that was based on one industry, mining.
Here is what they did. The majority of the homes, and apartment buildings in the town were owned by the two mining companies. They GAVE the properties to the town, for FREE. The town hired a very well known Canadian TV personality Bob Izumi, to promote the town as a place for retirees to come and live in.
Bob Izumi has a nationally broadcast fishing program, and he promoted Elliott Lake as the best place in Canada to retire in. His pay ? The town gave him 25 houses, to sell, and KEEP the profits.
The result ? Elliott Lake is now all most fully re-populated, and not just with seniors. Lost of families with kids live there, and the town is a great place to live.
Today, in Elliott Lake you can rent a modern one bedroom apt for less than 500 a month, a two or three bedroom house for 650.
This is how a small town in central Ontario saved it's self, from oblivion.
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