The Rust Belt which has also been called the Manufacturing Belt are various states in the Northeast, the Mid-Atlantic and the Upper Midwest. The Fox Valley area is located in this region where a Fox Valley handyman operates his Fox Valley bathroom remodeling. This entire area got that name for the various types of manufacturing plants that were sprinkled throughout especially in the steel industry. Much of this happened in Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana and norhtern sections of New York. The factories are located near rivers in the area. The term, Rust Belt became popular in the 1970’s when the industry declined and several factories were closed. Rusted gates are the only thing left from these buildings.

This region became the main source for industry and manufacturing because it was close to navigable waters and accessible to different resources. There was a big population boom that happened bringing a lot of immigrants to these areas for work and using the rivers, lakes and the railroad proved to be all good for shipping purposes. Life was good in these states that were part of this manufacturing belt.

Some of the difficulties began happening when other countries such as China were able to produce itmes for much less by paying their workers considerably lower pay . This produced enormous competition for the United States and we were not able to accomplish the same things for such a little amount as China could. This created outsourcing where businesses began to pay people in other countries to do the work for less than American workers could. The outsourcing work overseas have caused a loss of jobs for Americans.

Free trade has caused the factories to struggle financially learned that steel could be made for a great deal less in 3rd world countries than in the US so they started to get it from there other than in America. By getting the supplies through free trade from other countries it has totally changed the supply and demand factor. With no supply of steel here in the US, there is no demand for it either and the cycle continues to where we must rely on other countries for certain products. This also, has caused struggles on this region.

Many people have also been spreading out from the larger metropolitan areas that are in this Rust Belt such as Chicago, Duluth, Philadelphia, Buffalo and Pittsburgh deciding to venture into the suburbs where it is more affordable than in these downtown cities. This has made less work and jobs in the cities and more opportunities out in the suburbs that have nothing to do with industry as it had always been before. This rust belt area has recently seen an increase in jobs since 2008 with some new industries happening. They are dealing with biotechnology IT and hydrogen cell development as well as some other newer businesses. This has been a great boost for this area and the people here are hopeful that it will prosper again like it did prior to the 1970’s.