Blue-collar Michigan workers leave the land of the sagging auto industry to work in Wyoming's energy boom.
Wyoming is aggressively recruiting workers from Michigan for its coal, oil and natural gas industries. This year, Wyoming has targeted job fairs in Flint, Lansing and Grand Rapids. State economic development officials believe that Michiganders, like Wyomingites, have a blue-collar work ethic, and have an inner toughness, "that can only come from surviving harsh northern winters."
"A lot of people are afraid to take a chance," says Eric Chapdelaine, age 33, who moved to Wyoming and now drives a cargo truck to coal mines and drilling sites. He continues, "But you’ve got to make it happen â€" or sit back and let it happen."
FULL STORY: Flush With Jobs, Wyoming Woos Rust Belt Labor

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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