Ohio: Economically depressed? (Cleveland, Youngstown, Canton: find a job, schools, college)

[wrightflyer]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

On the bright side, you can only go up from here Canton, Youngstown, Cleveland & Dayton.

Funny how Forbes seemed to forget that Wright-Patterson is investing $4 billion dollars in the base and is attracting 1100 new jobs plus numerous defense contractor positions. There's also Caresource building its headquarters downtown. Then there's the planned investments in development at the soon to be built Austin Pike and I-75 interchange. Also, the jobs (Reynolds and Renolds) moving from Dayton to Kettering aren't factored in because the report focused on the region (Preble, Montgomery, Miami, and Greene counties).


Ok, so Dayton's region still probably has a net job loss over the next few years thanks to GM. IMHO, I beleive Dayton (city and region) needs three things accomplised before turning itself around. 1.Drop the residency rule for city employees. This way we can broaden the playing field for those seeking to be a part of the city's leadership without requiring them to move. 2.This should be done because the schools and most parts of the city are seen as underperforming and unsafe respectively. I applaud the brave ones (former W-P base commander Col. Ryan) for moving into the city of Dayton (hopefully to try to bring a change to the city's leadership). 3.With new leadership, hopefully we can attract new industry (renewable energy, hybrid automotive, technology, etc) to both Dayton proper and the region.

Maybe it's just a start, but at least it's better then the status quo in which many of us, including the leadership, seem to be languising.

[Hey_Hey]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

And what State do you reside in?

I've lived in Ohio (Toledo) for the last 3 years, and I'm leaving in 10 months never to look back. I'll be moving South along with the masses.

[hillside]

Originally Posted by wrightflyer

IMHO, I beleive Dayton (city and region) needs three things accomplised before turning itself around. 1.Drop the residency rule for city employees. This way we can broaden the playing field for those seeking to be a part of the city's leadership without requiring them to move. 2.This should be done because the schools and most parts of the city are seen as underperforming and unsafe respectively. I applaud the brave ones (former W-P base commander Col. Ryan) for moving into the city of Dayton (hopefully to try to bring a change to the city's leadership). 3.With new leadership, hopefully we can attract new industry (renewable energy, hybrid automotive, technology, etc) to both Dayton proper and the region.

Maybe it's just a start, but at least it's better then the status quo in which many of us, including the leadership, seem to be languising.

imho, it's a good rule that city employees have to live in dayton. being from cincinnati, i've seen the effect that powerful non-city residents have had on the city, and it ain't good. if you want to lead dayton, you should have to live in dayton. seriously, if you gave people the option, how many would leave? most likely, thousands. thousands of people that hold some of the precious few decent/well paying jobs left in dayton.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by hillside

imho, it's a good rule that city employees have to live in dayton. being from cincinnati, i've seen the effect that powerful non-city residents have had on the city, and it ain't good. if you want to lead dayton, you should have to live in dayton. seriously, if you gave people the option, how many would leave? most likely, thousands. thousands of people that hold some of the precious few decent/well paying jobs left in dayton.

I agree as well, if you work for a city, you should live there and be a part of the community w/the people who pay your salary. It also makes good sense from an organizational standpoint as you will have city employees spread throughout the city getting a feel for the residents and their concerns.

[Raptor76]

I was born and raised in Akron and lived there for 23 years. I loved living there, my family was there, I loved the people and everything. But when I graduated from College there were just no jobs around, so we moved to CT and got jobs in Finance. Now when we go back, it just doesn't seem the same, everyone seems depressed, all my friends are gone, and all everyone does is talk about how bad things are. I go back to see my family and I swear as soon as I get there I am ready to leave. Akron was never the greatest, but the people were always warm and friendly when I lived there, now it just doesn't seem that way.

[Jorge Camargo]

I am a cleveland native. I have lived here for 30 years and it has the ups and downs. Upside cost of living isnt as bad as other states like chicago, ny or cali.... Then again we are losing plants and no big businesses are coming here. Our crime rate is off the charts and we are on pace to be the number one homocide city in the nation... Number one in foreclosures... And number one at worse city to live in... But hey got to love cleveland

[ryanek9freak]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

What line of work are you in?

I'm an automotive diagnostic specialist. Pretty high demand just about wherever I go.

[tjoseph]

The problem is that our state government has done nothing to make our state attractive enough for corporations to move here. I don't think the weather is all that bad. Sure, winters are cold but then again Houston, Tx is miserble in the summers (I know I lived there most of my life)..you stay in during the winters here, you stay in the a/c in the summer in Texas. I love summers here..I love that I can open my windows for most of the summer. Instead of saying "whoa is me" we need to be on our state government to do something about making our state more competitive in bringing companies here. Taft did nothing and so far, nothing from Strickland. Why do you think Texas is growing so much? It's because they are not taxed to death. You have your property taxes and you have a state sales tax...no city tax, school tax, state tax, state sales tax, property tax...good grief! Texas along with other states in the south are more business friendly. Ohio with other rust belt states had all of their eggs in one basket and refused to diversify...Houston learned that lesson back in the 80's with the oil bust...now it is diversified.

[chikaranotori]

yeah, this came out today...

so those of Ohioans who think the state is slowly dying, well, read the story and determine for yourself:

America's Fastest-Dying Cities - Yahoo! Real Estate

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by chikaranotori

yeah, this came out today...

so those of Ohioans who think the state is slowly dying, well, read the story and determine for yourself:

America's Fastest-Dying Cities - Yahoo! Real Estate

Actually this story ran earlier this week. And when these cities DO make a come-back, with all the folks that have left, that means more jobs for those who stayed getting their foot in the door first. It's going to be hard and will require much better leadership but I do believe these cities will make a come-back. Then those who left will come running back looking for job. It's tough job-wise and economy wise ALL over. There is no mecca. What city do you reside in?