Since the term “shrinking cities” is new to most peoples’ vocabulary, here is some information about U.S. cities that fall into this category. Please note that this information  is by no means exhaustive of all cities that could be classified as such. Furthermore, bear in mind that a shrinking city will not qualify for assistance from CRSI unless it meets one of the two requirements listed below. The following specifications are quoted directly from the bill:

(1) SUBSTANTIAL POPULATION LOSS.–The applicant unit of general local government , or the most populous unit of general local government of the applicant consortium, has experienced at least 20 percent population loss since 1970, as measured by data from the 2000 decennial census.

(2) CONCENTRATED HOUSING VACANCY AND ABANDONMENT.–The applicant unit of general local government, or the most populous unit of general local government of applicant consortium–

(A) has experienced prolonged population, income, and employment loss resulting in substantial levels of housing vacancy and abandonment; and

(B) such housing vacancies and abandonments are concentrated in more than one neighborhood or geographic area within a jurisdiction or jurisdictions

Based on these specifications, it can be concluded that the grant program primarily–although not exclusively–targets older industrial cities.While the bill clearly defines what cities are eligible for the grant program, please note that eligible cities are not the only ones who stand to benefit from this bill. Researchers have determined that there is a strong link between the health of cities and their surrounding metropolises. According to a report published by the Brookings Institute in May 2007:

Restoring the economies of older industrial cities will also have an impact beyond their boarders. Given that over 70 percent of older industrial cities are located in economically ‘weak’ metropolitan areas, it’s apparent that the fates of cities and their suburbs are closely tied. While it is as yet unclear if the economic fortune of one actually drives the other, researchers have increasingly demonstrated the ‘interdependence’ between the two, and the likelihood of substantial negative and positive ’spillover’ effects from one to the other.

In light of this link between cities and their surrounding suburbs, it naturally follows that by supporting CRSI–a bill that would strengthen shrinking cities–you would also be strengthening  the cities that surround them, thus strengthening the region, the state, and, ultimately, the nation.

Maps and a table have been compiled to provide you with more information concerning shrinking cities.