Rust Belt City Revitalization: Estimating the Effects of Input Stock on Post-Recession Economic Recovery of 51 Rust Belt Cities

Rust Belt cities, after suffering from the economic downturn during the recession in 2008, were striking to revive during the post-recession period. The Rust Belt was gradually transferring into a new economy whose dominant industry is no longer manufacturing. This research examines variation in post-recession job growth as it relates to city level characteristics regarding fundamental clustering theory. Twelve location factors are included in a cross-section regression model to estimate the post-recession economic recovery, which is indicated by job creation of 51 Rust Belt cities in 11 States. The results inform public decisionmakers of how to take action on Rust Belt cities’ revitalization.