Which "Secondary City" would give the biggest boost to a "lower-tier state"? (largest, place)
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Say we take 4 "secondary cities" from 4 multi-city metro areas (Ft. Worth, Newark, Oakland, and St. Paul) and put each of them in a nearby state with no real major city. It's a little hard to split these cities up with their larger counterparts, but just for the sake of argument, let's cut the area in half... or at least use the cities and which ever smaller communities share their counties.
Which of these cities would give these respective states a bigger boost if they were the largest and obviously most important city to that state?
all populations are 2015 numbers
FORT WORTH/Tarrant County moved to: MISSISSIPPI
- Scenario: The 5th largest city in Texas would very easily be the largest city in Mississippi. Though Ft. Worth isn't the most liberal or progressive city in America, it is more socially moderate than many give it credit (this ain't Oklahoma City, folks) and it would add some of that to a state that many don't exactly see as the most "advanced" state in the union (no offense to Mississippians). Fort Worth's growth, healthy economy, and developing urban neighborhoods would give the state a major shot in the arm. You could also add half of the DFW Int'l Airport since literally half of it is in Tarrant County. Wouldn't be as big or busy as it is today, but it would still be more than Mississippi currently has.
- State population increase: 2,992,333 (state) + 1,982,498 (Tarrant Co.) = 4,974,831 (+66%)
- Major corporations added to state: American Airlines, BNSF Railway, D.R. Horton, Pier 1 Imports
- "Extras" that the state receives: Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, 2 major universities (TCU, UT-Arlington), Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth's Cultural District, Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, Colonial Golf Tournament, Sundance Square
NEWARK moved to: WEST VIRGINIA
- Scenario: Even though it may not make as much of an impact on its metro area as the other three cities, Newark is still an independent city that just so happens to be part of a much larger metro area. It would no doubt have more of an impact and FAR more power in the state of West Virginia, as its current largest metro area has much less than 500k. Newark would get to be surrounded by plenty of beautiful scenery and West Virginia would get a true urban center and more diversity in more categories than one.
- State population increase: 1,844,128 (state) + 281,944 (Newark) = 2,126,072 (+15%)
- Major corporations added to state: Prudential, Panasonic (North America), PSEG
- "Extras" that the state receives: Heavy public transportation, New Jersey Devils and a major multi-purpose arena, NJIT
OAKLAND/East Bay moved to: ALASKA
- Scenario: Moving from the warmer waters of Northern California to the cold waters of southern Alaska would be a drastic change, but for as big as it is, adding Oakland would increase the state's human side to a very imposing natural side. Oakland would also add on some big names in music (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Counting Crows, Green Day, Primus, Rancid, The Pointer Sisters, MC Hammer, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Tupac Shakur, Too Short, en Vogue, Pete Escovedo and Sheila E, Keyshia Cole...), as well as major pro sports (...as I'm typing this on May 29, 2016) and more urban flavor. Given that it's also a West Coast state, Oakland's iconic (half of) Bay Bridge may be needed. Another couple of elements the city adds is its very liberal culture and contribution to the Civil Rights Era.
- State population increase: 738,432 (state) + 2.5 million* (East Bay) = 3,238,432 (+339%)
- Major corporations added to state: Cheveron, Clorox, Dreyer's, Pixar, Mervyn's, Safeway, Ask.com, Pandora Radio
- "Extras" that the state receives: Chabot Space and Science Center, Heavy public transportation, Oakland A's, Oakland Raiders, Golden State Warriors, UC Berkeley, FOX Oakland Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Briones Regional Park, Oakland's Chinatown, Jack London Square
SAINT PAUL/Ramsey County moved to: NORTH DAKOTA
- Scenario: The smaller of the Twin Cities would fare well on its own and add more to North Dakota, as it plays a major part in the 2nd largest economic center in the Midwest. Like its counterpart to the west, St. Paul's culture is very open minded and progressive, which could add blue to a noticeably red state (whether you think that's a boost or not is totally subjective, but just throwing it out there) and it adds an urban center to another state with less than 1 million. Something the city and state does share in common is their love for hockey, so the fact that St. Paul has an NHL team is a plus for the state. One conflict, though, is that St. Paul would lose its state capital status, taking away government importance. Despite that, it would still be the larger city would still give the state a major boost.
- State population increase: 756,927 (state) + 538,133 (Ramsey Co.) = 1,295,060 (+71%)
- Major corporations added to state: Ecolab, Securian Financial Group, Gander Mountain, 3M
- "Extras" that the state receives: Minnesota Wild, Minnesota United FC, Ford Twin City's Assembly Plant, Landmark Center, Fort Snelling State Park, Indian Mounds Regional Park, Minnesota Centennial Showboat
I think moving Oakland to Alaska or Fort Worth to MS are the winners. Everything Oakland brings (specifically the greatest single team in NBA history) trumps Forth Worth, though it is close
I think moving Oakland to Alaska or Fort Worth to MS are the winners. Everything Oakland brings (specifically the greatest single team in NBA history) trumps Forth Worth, though it is close
They won't be if they choke in game 7.
Alas, I agree agree with this pairing. It also turns a very red state, very blue.
Also Speaking about the Bay area, it is a bit confusing since the most important city is San Fran, but San Jose is the largest, which makes Oakland the third largest/third city.
Also Speaking about the Bay area, it is a bit confusing since the most important city is San Fran, but San Jose is the largest, which makes Oakland the third largest/third city.
I wanted to keep it short, so I just kept it at those 4.
As far as the Oakland/East Bay option went, I went with the San Francisco-Oakland MSA, not the entire CSA of the Bay Area.
Fort Worth to Mississippi would have the biggest impact.
I'd replace Newark for Arlington, VA to West Virginia.
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