Understanding Economic Impact of Industrial Implosions

Questions and Answers

What was the reason for the explosion mentioned in the text?

It was an economic change

What did the Ball Band factory produce?

Athletic shoes

Which company dominated the market for domestically produced athletic shoes?

Nike

What happened to the operations of Ball Band and Uniroyal?

They were transferred overseas Signup and view all the answers

What did American urban youth influence through their fashion tastes?

The world's urban youth culture Signup and view all the answers

What kind of products could be made much more cheaply overseas?

Light products needing inexpensive resources and high labor demands Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for the concentration of the black population in Benton Harbor?

They were not welcome in St. Joseph due to racial segregation. Signup and view all the answers

What was the national distinction of Benton Harbor in the 1990s?

Highest number of single-parent households Signup and view all the answers

Why were black men in Benton Harbor not able to find stable employment after the industry left the area?

They were not welcome in the upscale residential and tourist community of St. Joseph. Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributed to the decrease in poverty in Benton Harbor from 75% to about 50%?

Attraction of new businesses to the city Signup and view all the answers

Which city had severe racial segregation, with many white residents never visiting the neighboring city and vice versa?

St. Joseph, Michigan Signup and view all the answers

What did the ships on Lake Michigan do with regard to the small cities along the St. Joseph River?

They did not venture upstream towards the small cities. Signup and view all the answers

What made it difficult for black residents in Benton Harbor to find employment in St. Joseph?

Severe racial segregation Signup and view all the answers

Which river runs along the border between Indiana and Michigan before emptying into Lake Michigan?

St. Joseph River Signup and view all the answers

Which book describes the amazing divide between twin cities, St. Joseph and Benton Harbor?

The Other Side of The River by Alex Kotlowitz Signup and view all the answers

Which city experienced a significant decrease in industrial activity?

South Bend, Indiana Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

An explosion occurred in Mishawaka, Indiana, in the year 2000. The explosion was not caused by war or terrorism but was a planned implosion of the Uniroyal plant.
The Uniroyal plant was located in a small city next to Mishawaka, once home to the Ball Band factory. Ball Bands were one of the first popular athletic shoes in the US, but were eventually surpassed by national competition and foreign manufacturers.
The Ball Band factory was bought out by Uniroyal, which transferred various operations overseas for cheaper labor and resources.
Mishawaka is a small city along the St. Joseph River, with a population of approximately 50,000. The cities of Benton Harbor-St. Joseph are nearby, divided by the river and characterized by severe segregation.
Benton Harbor is largely black and poor, with a high rate of single-parent households. When industry left the area, employment opportunities for residents, particularly black men, became scarce.
The city is now attracting business again and poverty is down, but stable employment is still a challenge. Upstream from Mishawaka, small Michigan cities have new industrial parks to lure industry from Indiana.