Roundtable: What caused rural population decrease? What are the solutions?

Factories leaving caused decrease; people who step up are solution

The population decrease was mainly caused by Admiral, Maytag, Archer Daniels Midland and Butler closing. Many families left the area to look for work. Because those relatively good paying jobs were gone, the tax base shrank and everything taxes support suffered accordingly. The quality of education depreciated and lack of order became a problem. This region suffers from the national problem of meager and inadequate rural healthcare.

All of us, whatever our political proclivities, will agree that our roads — local, regional, and state — are a mess. Because of the above it is hard to recruit teachers and doctors. What we have going for us and should give us hope is the energy and promise of the 350-tree planting program, the new Community Art Center, the new Galesburg Symphony, the great series of offerings at the Orpheum Theatre and the new Galesburg Public Library. The people here who step up are our best resource. They restored and improved vocational offerings at the high school and at Carl Sandburg College will help develop a workforce that may attract more small manufacturing and other enterprises to the area. — Laurie Muelder

Democrats chased away businesses, discourage entreprenuers

A plumber was repairing a leak at our house when he discovered damage to the floor. “I’ve been a plumber for 30 years and the one thing I’ve learned is water always wins.”

In Illinois, years of one party rule with super majorities have skewed the political landscape. Democrats have gerrymandered themselves into permanent control of everything, creating a terrible business climate and giving us some of the highest taxes in the country.

The mass exodus from Illinois is a direct result of lack of jobs for young people as existing businesses are chased away and a hostile bureaucracy discourages entrepreneurs from creating new jobs.

The decline in population directly corresponds to the institution of one-party rule. The governor and legislature insist on rewarding their allies at the expense of workers and businesses.

This unchecked power has tilted the playing field so, just like water, they win and we lose. — Harry Bulkeley

Taxes are lower in other states; need good jobs, competitive schools

The population in western Illinois has decreased over the past 10 years because people are leaving the state permanently. The reason I hear most often is that taxes are lower in other states, particularly in the neighboring ones. In order to keep people here we have to offer something that they do not want to leave.

To attract people we have to have a carrot that they want. We need good paying jobs and competitive public schools. We need affordable “middle” class housing. We have to be able to lure people with activities for young people who want to go out and socialize. We need to be able to offer clean, well kept towns. The towns might need something amazing such as a large ferris wheel or a unique museum.

I do not believe people are leaving due to a safety issue. I don’t believe it is safe anywhere anymore. — Jeannette Chernin

High crime and taxes, political corruption and job loses caused decline

There’s not a single, simple cause; a number of factors are involved. I base this not on my opinion alone, but on what I’ve been told by people I know who have left the state or are in the process of leaving.

• Crime is very high and people don’t feel safe here. Chicago’s murder rate is just one example. The state’s efforts to handicap police and empower criminals it will only make it worse.

• Political corruption is blatant in the state. Mike Madigan is an outstanding, recent example.

• Illinois has some of the highest taxes in the country.

• Illinois has the highest unfunded public pension programs in the country and it’s going to bite us at some point.

• Illinois is losing good jobs and tax revenue as more corporations are leaving the state, for many of the above reasons.

Only by getting these factors under control can the trend be stopped and then reversed.  – Charlie Gruner

Affordable housing initiatives, more diverse demographic will attract people

When Galesburg lost the Maytag manufacturing jobs the effect was immediate and is still being felt today.  The primary areas of employment in Galesburg are healthcare, education, retail and railway. Sudden unemployment outside of those career paths can create severe financial consequences for job seekers which may force them to move to other areas of the country. College graduates who leave this area may decide to move to communities that provide greater career and income-earning opportunities.

The loss of manufacturing jobs is the major cause of why there are fewer people wanting to stay in western Illinois. In addition, the high cost of housing, lower birth rates, discrimination in employment against minorities, and those seeking warmer climates have contributed to the population decline. Some ways to reverse these trends include communities developing affordable housing initiatives, enticing newer technologies such as renewable energy to invest, and creating an environment that attracts small businesses. Finally, a wide selection of activities and entertainment that appeal to a diverse demographic will attract more people.  — John Hunigan

People fed up with high taxes, crime and incompetent government

This question has bedeviled mayors and city councils since the 1950s. Numerous initiatives were tried, but most met the same fate as Galesburg’s recent efforts — the economic forces were too great to be resolved on a local level.

This is frustrating because European nations have been able to save their small towns and historic city centers. Of course, to copy their methods would run counter to American traditions, especially the desire to manage local problems locally, and perhaps not succeed anyway because our nation is so much larger.

When industry moves away, some young people leave to look for work; those who graduate from universities find jobs in large cities; and those who stay don’t have enough children to keep the schools filled.

More fundamentally, people are just fed up with Illinois’ high taxes, crime, and incompetent government. Anyone who can get up and go, gets ups and goes. — William Urban

Good-paying jobs are key to population growth and retention

There are a myriad of reasons why rural counties like Knox and McDonough counties lost population. McDonough has lost population due to lack of student population for one — WIU has diminished attendance. It’s cheaper to live in rural counties overall, but young people migrate to the cities. Rural populations are declining nationwide. Better jobs, better lifestyles and often better weather are a draw for urban areas. Even moderately sized areas like Bloomington/Normal can’t retain young, eager employees. State Farm, the king of that area, has opened three major regional centers in Texas, Arizona and Georgia — all in urban areas for cheaper state taxes (also abatements) and employee retention reasons.

In this state, it isn’t the state tax as much as the property taxes and sales tax. But you have to be clear eyed about moving to warmer climes. You have some downsides. The cost just to rent or own a home is insane, though slowing and sliding back a bit.  You have to pick your spot and do your homework as to where you think is a better place to live. To slow the migration from Knox County, you need good paying jobs. That is the basis for growth and retention.  Looking for smaller companies like the recent addition of FCA industrial packaging company helps. — Stephen Podwojski

The Community Roundtable runs each Sunday and is made up of local writers. Community writers answer one question each week in 150 words or fewer. 

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Galesburg IL: What caused rural population loss? What are solutions?