Troubled Cities

Instead of lounging around like I usually do in January, I am taking an interterm class called, Crafting Public Policy.  In this class, we learn the basic history and theoretical framework of public policy in the United States and study four local issues.  Our study of local issues differs from most policy classes because we focus on collecting the viewpoints of a diverse group of stakeholders, especially underrepresented ones.  Most of the time community members know the best solution for their community, except no one has asked them.

My issue is whether Springfield should approve the building 50 MW biomass plant.  Instead of getting into the details of comparing the economic benefits versus the health and environmental costs, I want to contemplate the bigger picture.  While this plant will marginally help the state achieve its Renewable Portfolio Standards of having 15% of its power come from renewable energy, it mainly strives to jumpstart the Springfield’s economy.  For nearly six decades, Springfield has been slumping economically, largely due to a decline in manufacturing. Many major companies closed their factories in the city, moving to the suburbs or out of New England all together.  In 1968, the Springfield Armory was closed by the Pentagon. Another large manufacturer, American Bosch, shuttered its doors in 1986.  In 2005, this exodus continued, with the closure of the Danaher Tool forge, maker of Craftsman tools. Many Springfield residents moved to the suburbs to escape inner-city crime and urban decay.  Currently, the violent and property crime rates in Springfield are at least twice the national average.[i] Because manufacturing had been a large part of Springfield's economy, it proved difficult to fill the void with a service-based economy, more so than in similar cities with more diversified economies.  Thus, the city faces a huge challenge of stimulating its economy and defining its identity.

Springfield’s situation is similar to many ex-manufacturing cities across the Northeast and Midwest.  A recent New York Times article discussed how Rhode Island and its capital are battling the second-highest unemployment rate in the country and very low salaries.[ii]  The major task of economic development initiatives in the next decade should focus on revitalizing these decaying great cities.  Special attention needs to be given to brownfields, vacant contaminated properties.  A recent Brookings Institute seems to posit the obvious solutions – “grow the middle class,” “repair crumbling infrastructure,” “improve schools,” etc.[iii]  How to achieve those things is the policy challenge for our challenge.

[i] http://www.cityrating.com/citycrime.asp?city=Springfield&state=MA

[ii] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/us/01rhode.html?_r=2

[iii] http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/reports/2007/05metropolitanpol...