In our studies of Akron, OH we find a few anomalies that you do not typically find in cities of this size in the United States. Akron Economic Researcher at the Downtown 17th floor chamber building in Akron tells of Firestone, Rubbermaid and other Corporate HQ leaving the city. Akron of course has suburbs benefiting greatly from the Cleveland Metro area much like Dayton has from Columbus OH. The three C’s- Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus are all huge markets and well spread out equally as well as in good proximity to other large cities such as Pittsburgh, Detroit, Indianapolis and Louisville, KY to draw from and trade with.

However much of those cities rely on manufacturing, mining and automobiles, rural areas are concentrated on farming, but the Corporate Big Boys make up the largest bread winning share of things, with good rail and transportation accessibility.

Ohio is always on at the forefront of the NAFTA and manufacturing jobs debate, because their big industries and revenues have for over 100 years come from those sectors. Ohio survives or goes into recession based on the abilities of these industries to compete in world markets and lax regulatory policies. Akron is tucked between large OH cities and surrounded by suburbs, some with money some with little. Each of the large OH cities relies on the health of the next nearest large city. So when an industry like automobile manufacturing is hit it effects the flow there too. Many manufacturers in OH have off-shored their manufacturing to compete in world markets and save the cost of union labor. Luckily for Akron and the surrounding areas they are quickly picking up steam in the service sector to offset the job losses in manufacturing.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs