Glasmeier, Amy

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21st Century Restructuring of Employment in the NortheastMeeting the Challenges of  Preserving a Way of LifeAmy Glasmeier E Willard Miller Professor of Economic Geography and the John Whisman Appalachian ScholarThe Carsey Institute, University of New HampshireLike most successful places, there comes a time when the future seems uncertain Big changes are a foot: the global is impacting the local Globally– Outsourcing– Outright international competition– Corporate identity in flux Locally– Rising cost of living– Aging population– Integration of new members of societyAll old problems that must be addressedNew England has Always Been Global and it has Responded–Colonies–Textiles–Machines–Light manufacturing–High tech 1–High tech 2TodayA time when the past and the future are about to meetOutlines and Confessions Confessions, first. I am not a native, but a visitor. I see through rose colored glasses. Nonetheless,  No doubt about it, this is one of the most beautiful and inviting places in America to live .– Landscapes– Attitudes– Attachment to Place– Value of Community and Individual This region should be proud Low level of poverty High level of education High level of inventiveness High level of income Commitment to social cohesion Commitment to public discourse A deep attachment to placeTHERE ARE CHALLENGES. AND THE REGION HAS STRENGTHS. Play to them.Two things to say My talk is about: What is, and  What is likely to come– How to make the best of challenging circumstances– Listen to local voices. Seek  external advice, but use it wisely and sparingly– Remember, you know your place better than anyoneFirst, the basics. How to Read the Tea LeavesUnemployment is low, but climbingRate of change in employment growth below the national averageSo much of what is happening or is likely to happen is impossible to knowCirca 1920. And then on to the 21stCentury Shoemaking and textiles were once the mainstays of New England's 25 percent of all manufacturing jobs just after World War II.  In 1954 30,000 textile jobs lost in Massachusetts in eight years, 20 percent unemployed in Lawrence, 5 million square feet of unused industrial space.  Trade protection was put in place to reduce the demise of the nation’s textile industry. These actions did not save the Northeast,  By the end of the century, New England's textile and shoe jobs had fallen to one-eighth of their 1948 levels. Mill cities such as Lowell, Lawrence, Fall River, and New Bedford were devastated. What has happened since? http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2006/01/15/no_sweat/COULD THIS BE ME?OutSourcingOf HighTech JobsCivilian labor force in New England,seasonally adjusted (in thousands)Area Dec Oct Nov Dec Dec 2004 to2004 2005 2005 2005 (1) Dec 2005 (1)(Links provide news releases)Net Percentchange (2) change (2)United States150,043 150,183 150,153 1,980 1.3New England7,589.90 7,610.70 7,618.90 122.1 1.6Connecticut1,821.30 1,824.40 1,829.20 37.7 2.1Maine719.4 721.1 720.6 17.7 2.5Massachusetts3,378.80 3,388.20 3,383.60 -1.5 0New Hampshire740.6 740.4 739.5 14 1.9Rhode Island576.7 580.2 580.6 20.5 3.7Vermont357.2 357.7 360.5 5.8 1.6148,1737,496.901,791.50702.93,385.10725.5560.1354.7Area Oct Nov Dec2005 2005 2005 (1)(Links Net Percentchange (2)change (2)United States 150,043 150,183 150,153 1,980 1.3New England 7,589.90 7,610.70 7,618.90 122.1 1.6Connecticut 1,821.30 1,824.40 1,829.20 37.7 2.1Maine 719.4 721.1 720.6 17.7 2.5Massachusetts 3,378.80 3,388.20 3,383.60 -1.5 0New Hampshire 740.6 740.4 739.5 14 1.9Rhode Island 576.7 580.2 580.6 20.5 3.7Vermont 357.2 357.7 360.5 5.8 1.6Civilian labor force in New England,seasonally adjusted (in thousands)Dec 2004 toDec 2005 (1)Area Dec Oct Nov Dec Net change(Links provide news releases) 2004 2005 2005 2005 (1)Dec 2004 toDec 2005 (1)United States 5.4 4.9 5 4.9 -0.5New England 4.3 4.8 4.8 4.7 0.4Connecticut 4.5 5.3 5.1 4.8 0.3Maine 4.6 5.2 5 4.8 0.2Massachusetts 4.7 4.8 4.9 4.9 0.2New Hampshire3.4 3.9 3.8 3.5 0.1Rhode Island 4.8 5.4 5.2 5.2 0.4Vermont 3.6 3.9 3.5 3.6 0Footnotes(1) State and regional data for the most recent month are preliminary.SOURCE: Local Area Unemployment StatisticsThe State and regional data above are a product of the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, a Federal-State cooperative program in which total employment and unemployment are measured for approximately 6,800 areas.Unemployment rates in New England,seasonally adjusted (in percent)There is a New England AttitudeThe value of and relevance of  society is important Public debates are about a way of lifeBasic rights are considered important–Health careEducationChild careSecurityAn the individual is valuedNot Unlike a Region Recently in the NewsThe Nordic Countries–A good comparison? WhyValue of the landscapeSocial choicesComplex social groupingsHistory matters A way of life many people envy

21st Century restructuring of employment in the Northeast

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21st Century restructuring of employment in the Northeast

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