A Rust Belt Revival

In the 20th century, the fortunes of the cities of the East Coast and Midwest often rose and fell along with those of major industrial employers. In recent decades, those fortunes fell more often than they rose. History may be repeating itself in Cincinnati. 

General Electric, one of the poster children for 20th century prosperity, recently announced the development of its Global Operations Center, which will bring at least 1,800 highly paid workers to downtown Cincinnati. Other office buildings are under development nearby, as is a a new 3.6-mile streetcar line. There's a growing "consumer science" sector, specializing in marketing and branding. Much of this activity is credited to the nonprofit developer Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation, which has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the downtown area already.

The new influx of business comes with promises to invest further in the city: "The city’s big companies, in collaboration with Cincinnati and Hamilton County, also developed plans and investment funds for park reconstruction, business investments and new office and residential construction, all aimed at coaxing residents to live downtown and to establish more high-paying jobs."