our central industry
We decided the time was now for our region to tell its own stories. For too long Rustbelt cities have been objects more than subjects, places dressed in the decay and decline of deteriorated buildings, broken sidewalks, and failing institutions. They’ve defined us without asking. Our craft must be our voice.
Our Central Industry is a project to redefine the industrial midwest as a region of peerless innovation, creativity, and devotion - it is an effort to connect cities, residents, advocates, radicals, politicians, neighbors, and thinkers together for the common enterprise of change. What works? What doesn’t? Let your region know. We need Detroit to know the story of St. Louis. We need Buffalo to know the coolest projects in Youngstown. We need Cleveland residents to crave info on Pittsburgh. Our central (and essential) industry is to work every day for better neighborhoods, better streets, and better outcomes. It’s time for some show and tell.
Let’s get vocal about our trials and triumphs. Let’s tell the whole story - with every part of the tough, painful, beautiful, difficult, inspiration, and boldness that comprises our cities.
(this is as much Detroit as empty factories and open prairie)
All posts are crowdsourced in an ongoing effort to provide the most relevant and timely ideas emerging from the Rustbelt. Starting a farm? Show us. Holding a public meeting? Show us. Reading a great book? Show us. Our Central Industry is a platform to share, exchange, cooperate, converse, and create - it is exactly what you choose to make it (kind of like our homes). Send a photo, write an essay, pick a quote.
Tell us why you want to be mayor, or why you don’t. Tell us what kind of business you want to start, what art you want to create, what neighborhood you love.
We will add more pages as new activities are submitted, don’t worry if you live in Gary or Braddock or Akron, we’ll make sure to give you a page - you just make sure you keep us updated on what’s going on. Click here to learn how to contribute, or click here to submit something right now.
