Beschreibung:
<jats:p>It has been obvious for some time that the U.S. manufacturing industry has been on a downward slide. However, the recent recession has accelerated the speed of the decline to the point of public outcry. Production, and thus employment in some industries is down by a third. This, in turn, is creating profound economic hardships for many communities and a crisis of regional economic disparity not seen since the Great Depression.</jats:p>