Future of St. Louis (Washington, Union: 2014, crimes, job market)

[FrankMiller]

We're as good a place as any to build a factory, so, maybe?

[OuttaTheLouBurbs]

Originally Posted by FrankMiller

We're as good a place as any to build a factory, so, maybe?

What about places with lower taxes, like say Texas? What would stop any company from building a new factory in the sun belt, where most new manufacturing is concentrated?

[marigolds6]

Originally Posted by OuttaTheLouBurbs

What about places with lower taxes, like say Texas? What would stop any company from building a new factory in the sun belt, where most new manufacturing is concentrated?

It is extremely extremely expensive to train new auto factory workers. So, factories pretty much only relocate to locations with existing factories. Not sure if many new auto factories have been built recently at all. But because St Louis still has a lot of skilled workers, there is a possibility it could get a factory in the near future. In the long term, those skills are unused and declining though, and automotive factories will continue to consolidate.

[OuttaTheLouBurbs]

Originally Posted by marigolds6

It is extremely extremely expensive to train new auto factory workers. So, factories pretty much only relocate to locations with existing factories. Not sure if many new auto factories have been built recently at all. But because St Louis still has a lot of skilled workers, there is a possibility it could get a factory in the near future. In the long term, those skills are unused and declining though, and automotive factories will continue to consolidate.

That's an excellent point. If any auto company ever decides to expand here, they would have to do it within the next decade or two before the experienced labor fades away.

[flynavyj]

seems many of the foreign automakers congregate to the right-to-work states, and i know the st. louis unions have been fighting that battle pretty aggressively.

[FrankMiller]

Originally Posted by flynavyj

seems many of the foreign automakers congregate to the right-to-work states, and i know the st. louis unions have been fighting that battle pretty aggressively.

On the other hand, Tennessee might lose out on VW expansion because of GOP anti-union shenanigans.

[OuttaTheLouBurbs]

Originally Posted by flynavyj

seems many of the foreign automakers congregate to the right-to-work states, and i know the st. louis unions have been fighting that battle pretty aggressively.

I thought Missouri was right-to-work?

[FrankMiller]

Originally Posted by OuttaTheLouBurbs

I thought Missouri was right-to-work?

Nope, we're still a right-to-be-treated-like-a-human-being state.

[glamatomic]

Originally Posted by FrankMiller

Nope, we're still a right-to-be-treated-like-a-human-being state.

Exactly- and I hope it stays that way!!! I do NOT want to live in another Right-To-Work state after my experience in NC.

[OuttaTheLouBurbs]

Originally Posted by glamatomic

Exactly- and I hope it stays that way!!! I do NOT want to live in another Right-To-Work state after my experience in NC.

Honestly, I don't fully understand Right-to-Work and why it's so controversial. Could someone perhaps explain it to me and why it's such an issue?