Moving from CA to Cairo...Where and what kind of work is available?

[By~Tor]

"Getting some money" in there is NOT the sum answer, here... Cairo has had infusion after infusion of capital from Springfield, yet the crime and poverty continue.

Location-wise, Cairo IS perfectly situated for barge-based businesses, but the highway system leaves much to be desired, unless you want to travel I-57 to get everywhere... the rest of the roads arew all two-lane monstrosities with farm vehicles plodding along at 30 mph....

As far as criticizing but not living there, I lived in Harrisburg for 10 years and know Cairo very well... but I also don't live in Beirut, but I'd criticize what I see wrong with that area as well.... there's nothing wrong with having pride in where you live, but in Cairo's case, something positive needs to FINALLY happen there, before there's any reason to have pride in anything other than its past glory days....

Cairo is a crime-ridden ghetto, and its a shame that Illinois has allowed this to happen to a once-great city... the antebellum history of Cairo is well known in historical circles, and if a combination of monetary influx were to be combined with a concerted effort by several different business channels to revive the city, it could still have somewhat of a future... but right now, the chips are not being bet, on that hand happening, anytime soon..

Originally Posted by lillexi09

Hi my name is Alexis. I am 16 years old. I have lived in Cairo my whole life. I hate CAiro as much as the next person. There is NOTHING for young ppl to do...nothing they should be doing anyway. I live in downtown Cairo. Really close to where that pic was taken. Cairo is a dump. But i got news for you. If you want to move here do it. I wouldnt recommend it though. If we could just get some money Cairo would be a great place. There is so much history here. And its in a very good location. I would love nothing more than to see Cairo rise up and overcome all of its depression. However, that isnt going to happen if nobody comes. Nobody cares about the people stuck here. Its the parents fault not ours that we live here. Maybe if people moved here and opened up businesses and did something with it, more ppl would come. Cairo has its downfalls but as much as I hate it, I gotta love it. It's my home. And for all u ppl who got somethin smart to say and always criticizing cairo maybe if you bring ur ass down here and do somethin with it it wouldnt be so bad. If you dont live here and dont plan on helpin us out dont criticize our home.

[BLS2753]

Cairo has multi-generational poverty, with few options available to change that. The town is geographically isolated and requires a minimum of a 45 minute drive for the most basic of services. A young person living in Cairo has significant obstacles to overcome. Perhaps more so than one living in a large, inner city, where public transportation and a relative number of entry level jobs are available.

I live in Metropolis, grew up here, and I'm retired from the military. I'm white, but my military background has given me the opportunity to work with people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds. About, 5 years ago, I worked as a substitute teacher in several school districts. I spent a couple of days in Cairo High School. Whatever diversity training and experiences I had, were meaningless in that environment. There's a general hostility toward whites in that community. Not among all the students and faculty, but many. If the most progressive social advocate in the U.S. was to come to Cairo, I'm convinced they would soon leave in vain.

Alexander County, in which Cairo is the county seat, is not exactly devoid of employment. There is a large rail/barge facility, where grain from trains originating at the ADM operation in Decatur, are off loaded on to barges. These barges head for the Gulf of Mexico, to be transported throughout the world. This is a big operation, with a good number of jobs by Southern IL standards. To my knowledge, few Alexander County residents work there.

As many here know, the exportation of prisons to Southern IL is the usual political solution to solve the "jobs" problem. About 15 years ago, a state of the art "Super Max" prison was built in Alexander County. Applicants residing in Alexander County were given preferential treatment, affirmitive action, extra points on the test, etc. I have an acquaintance in some level of hiring capacity, who told me that even after the effort was made to hire county residents, very few could pass the screening process. The result, most of the correctional staff comes south down I-57 from the Carbondale and Marion areas.

So more than a decade later, with a major grain terminal and penitentiary, the poverty in Alexander County is status quo.

There are numerous old Victorian homes in Cairo, similar to what the OP mentioned. I recently saw one listed for $12,000. Not a dump either, but it's in Cairo. Similar home in Metropolis is listing for $125,000. If in a major city, good neighborhood, probably $500,000 and up.

If you always dreamed of owning a large Victorian home, but only want to spend $12K, Cairo might be for you. Of course, you'll most likely will want to enclose it with a brick wall and state-of-the-art security system. Also, bring lots of gas money, because you will be spending time on the road to reach goods and services. This might have changed, but last I checked, cable and broadband internet are non-existant also. Direct TV or Dish Network might hook you up, if you can find an installer to drive there.

This is basically a third world existence, that has the luxury of electricity and indoor plumbing.

The only possible turnaround for Cairo, will have to come from within. Perhaps, sometime in the future a brilliant entreprenuer will emerge from the local population. A person of the Bill Gates/Sam Walton variety, who will base their operation in Cairo. One who will invest in the school system, and connect with the young people in the community.

Cairo, outsiders are not going to help you. Heck, outsiders won't even help the more prosperous communities in this part of the state.

The obstacles are huge, and I don't see Cairo turning around any time soon. Maybe that aforementioned entreprenuer is out there, but I don't see 'em.

[Bestbroker4u]

This town is a DUMP, came her in October '07 to care for a terminally ill family member. Property values are low and utility expenses are HIGH. Cairo Public Utility has a monopoly and charge outrageous rates. Average bill is $400-600 month, I've met people who used to live here but moved because of a $1000 utility bill for ONE month! Everything is crumbling down. US Post office is not large enough to accomodate overnight deliveries. Forget about DSL unless you can live with the dial up dinosaur, it will cost you $90/mo for satellite internet. No Wi-Fi here folks. Nothing in Alexander County is computerized. Go to the court to check property title and they look it up in the old map book. If you have a medical emergency you are THIRTY miles away from the nearest hospital. Which ever direction you want to go N-E-W-S you have to drive 30 miles to Walmart. For shopping you have to go 30 miles west to Cape Girardeau Mo or 30 miles west to Paducah Ky (also where the hospitals are) thats a 60 mile round trip. The town is a speed trap - not a stop light here and if you don't drive 30 mps through Cairo Andy and Barney will be waiting for you, speeding tickets are strong source of city revenue. One gas station in town, but you won't find premium unleaded if you need it. EVERYTHING closes by 8 pm, so if you have a headache and are out of aspirin you are out of luck. No fast food, McDonalds is 10 miles away (20mi rt). No decent take out either, 1 BBQ joint in town - smells good tastes horrible. Can't wait to get out of HELL aka Cairo.

[Capt. Dan]

Cairo, like Gary, Indiana is the pits. No doubt. However, some of the previous posters were correct about revitalization. A person could probably buy an entire city block for 300,000 to 400,000 dollars. It will take patience, but whoever is willing to make the investment WILL reap a profit down the road. That is why Donald Trump is buying up alot of rundown property in Gary. Gary being located on Lake Michigan is just like Cairo being on the river. Its location WILL pay dividends in the future. That being said, I cant help but feel sorry for the youth who are stuck there today.

[BLS2753]

Originally Posted by Capt. Dan

Cairo, like Gary, Indiana is the pits. No doubt. However, some of the previous posters were correct about revitalization. A person could probably buy an entire city block for 300,000 to 400,000 dollars. It will take patience, but whoever is willing to make the investment WILL reap a profit down the road. That is why Donald Trump is buying up alot of rundown property in Gary. Gary being located on Lake Michigan is just like Cairo being on the river. Its location WILL pay dividends in the future. That being said, I cant help but feel sorry for the youth who are stuck there today.

Despite the blight, Cairo could be an attractive town if fixed up. Lots of old architecture. The town is spread out north-south on a peninsula between the 2 rivers. It once had a population of around 20,000, now it's around 3,000. So the town is about 2 miles long, but lots of empty buildings, and very little traffic or people walking around. It's a unique experience driving through there.

The town has been a designated Enterprise Zone for years. Plenty of government grants and low/no interest loans, for anyone wishing to do business there. Plenty of vacant storefronts, industrial sites, etc. So far no takers.

[trailerguy]

Consider Metropolis. It is a very similar town in the same general area, but much nicer and safer. It's right across the river from Paducah, where you could find employment and urban amenities.

[Pegib]

Originally Posted by BLS2753

Despite the blight, Cairo could be an attractive town if fixed up. Lots of old architecture. The town is spread out north-south on a peninsula between the 2 rivers. It once had a population of around 20,000, now it's around 3,000. So the town is about 2 miles long, but lots of empty buildings, and very little traffic or people walking around. It's a unique experience driving through there.

The town has been a designated Enterprise Zone for years. Plenty of government grants and low/no interest loans, for anyone wishing to do business there. Plenty of vacant storefronts, industrial sites, etc. So far no takers.

May I comment on this {/QUOTE}

Cairo was not designated as an "Enterprise Zone"
It is in the county of Alexander. In 1995 the lowest poverty Census Tracts in parts of Alexander, one Census Tract in Johnson and all of Pulaski County were designated "Southernmost Illinois Empowerment Zone " known by locals as SIDEZ.
This organization is comprised of elected board members represented by all three counties. All monthly meetings are held in different locations each month and are open to the public. Every board member is a voluteer and spend many hours, travel many miles to represent their particular county.
The board is comprised of several sub-committee's required by the USDA the federal agency which funds the various rural development projects in the organization.
Once a year there is a "Public" meeting held at Shawnee Community College and the citizens of these counties all come to vote on the 7 goals to achieve the mission of this organi zation. SIDEZ has it's own website sidez.org Anyone can get on there and read the mission statement and ALL of the GREAT achievments that have been accomplished by those behind the scene's board members. I myself was a board member for four years. Also was on the Pulaski CO. budget committee along with a couple of others from the same county and we competed for funding projects against the other two counties. We did not always get ALL of what we needed, but got much needed monies for our fire departments, schools, housing, sewer and water and you name it.
I foolishly left southern Illinois to move to Wyoming. And for two years I have seen nothing but hostile people who do not know how to work together and never will. They love the tourist's money but they do not want any "Newcomers" who may disrupt the "Time Warp" they hold so dear.
I am planning on rejoining the people at SIDEZ and for those who do not seem to know what is really going on, SIU has been working slowly and methodically to help with the revitalization of Cairo. Their students who are majoring in a career as a lawyer, spend hours of public sevice helping to restore the third floor federal courtroom in the Custom's house.
They have a office located in the "Cairo Citizens" newspaper office, the use of which is donated by the newspaper. This summer there will be White and Black people working side by side to achieve the "2020 Vision" program. There have been many projact and happenings that are never told. It does not have the "Shock" value that crime and violence does. And the documentary made by the youth of Cairo IS being utilized by the SIU faculty.
Do not be too quick to judge, the riots that occurred in the 60's were initiated by people from "Outside" violent activist's and it was the cause of the downfall. But the streets that most public do not see are still as beautiful as they have ever been. You just need to get off the main street.
Pegib

[BLS2753]

Originally Posted by Pegib

May I comment on this {/QUOTE}

Cairo was not designated as an "Enterprise Zone"
It is in the county of Alexander. In 1995 the lowest poverty Census Tracts in parts of Alexander, one Census Tract in Johnson and all of Pulaski County were designated "Southernmost Illinois Empowerment Zone " known by locals as SIDEZ.
This organization is comprised of elected board members represented by all three counties. All monthly meetings are held in different locations each month and are open to the public. Every board member is a voluteer and spend many hours, travel many miles to represent their particular county.
The board is comprised of several sub-committee's required by the USDA the federal agency which funds the various rural development projects in the organization.
Once a year there is a "Public" meeting held at Shawnee Community College and the citizens of these counties all come to vote on the 7 goals to achieve the mission of this organi zation. SIDEZ has it's own website sidez.org Anyone can get on there and read the mission statement and ALL of the GREAT achievments that have been accomplished by those behind the scene's board members. I myself was a board member for four years. Also was on the Pulaski CO. budget committee along with a couple of others from the same county and we competed for funding projects against the other two counties. We did not always get ALL of what we needed, but got much needed monies for our fire departments, schools, housing, sewer and water and you name it.
I foolishly left southern Illinois to move to Wyoming. And for two years I have seen nothing but hostile people who do not know how to work together and never will. They love the tourist's money but they do not want any "Newcomers" who may disrupt the "Time Warp" they hold so dear.
I am planning on rejoining the people at SIDEZ and for those who do not seem to know what is really going on, SIU has been working slowly and methodically to help with the revitalization of Cairo. Their students who are majoring in a career as a lawyer, spend hours of public sevice helping to restore the third floor federal courtroom in the Custom's house.
They have a office located in the "Cairo Citizens" newspaper office, the use of which is donated by the newspaper. This summer there will be White and Black people working side by side to achieve the "2020 Vision" program. There have been many projact and happenings that are never told. It does not have the "Shock" value that crime and violence does. And the documentary made by the youth of Cairo IS being utilized by the SIU faculty.
Do not be too quick to judge, the riots that occurred in the 60's were initiated by people from "Outside" violent activist's and it was the cause of the downfall. But the streets that most public do not see are still as beautiful as they have ever been. You just need to get off the main street.
Pegib

It's an Empowerment Zone but also listed as having "Illinois Enterprise Zone Benefits". Says so on the website you referenced. Regardless of the semantics, the point is, one can get incentives for locating a business in Cairo.

[TheGeneral]

cairo just seems like an interesting place. ill have to put cairo on my list of things to go see. not that i enjoy devastation, its just interesting to me to see all of the history behind it. it might be ugly, but i really want to check cairo out one day.