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What happens when big tech comes to small towns? We’ve seen it happen time and time again: a big company sets up shop in a small town, and the local economy gets a boost. But what happens after that?
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The Good
It’s no secret that small towns have been struggling in recent years. Main streets are lined with vacant storefronts, jobs are hard to come by, and young people are leaving for the big city in droves. But there’s one silver lining to this dark cloud: when big tech comes to town, things start to change.
More jobs
More jobs are always a good thing for a small town. Big tech companies bring high-paying jobs that can help to boost the local economy. In addition, the presence of a big tech company can help to attract other businesses to the area, resulting in even more job opportunities.
Economic growth
When big tech companies come to small towns, there is often an economic boom. Jobs are created, wages go up, and businesses flourish. This can be a great thing for a community, but it can also lead to problems.
Some people are priced out of the housing market, traffic increases, and long-time residents can feel like they are being pushed out. There is also the risk that a company will move in and then move out again, leaving the town worse off than before.
Nevertheless, many small towns are eager to welcome big tech companies The benefits can be too good to resist.
Improved infrastructure
The arrival of a big tech company in a small town can often lead to improvements in infrastructure. This is because the company will want to be able to offer its employees the best possible working environment, and this will include having good roads, reliable public transport and high-speed internet access. The company may also invest in other infrastructure projects such as building a new school or hospital.
The Bad
The thing about Big Tech is that it’s never just about the tech. It’s about the money, the power, the prestige. Big Tech comes to small towns, and it doesn’t care about the people who live there. All it cares about is making a quick buck and moving on to the next town.
Increased cost of living
When Big Tech comes to small towns, the rents go up. A lot.
Consider Sonoma County, Calif., where the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is now $2,450. That’s more than double what it was just five years ago.
The reason? The region has become a magnet for tech workers, thanks to its proximity to San Francisco and its laid-back lifestyle. So many people are moving in that there’s not enough housing to go around.
The result is that rents are rising faster than incomes, and low- and middle-income residents are getting priced out of their own communities.
Gentrification
Gentrification is the process of redevelopment of certain areas by richer people driving up rents and property values and displacing lower-income families and small businesses. This has been happening in major metropolitan areas for decades, but now, with the advent of technology, it is moving into smaller cities and towns that were previously affordable places to live.
The effects of gentrification can be devastating to the long-time residents of a community. They are forced to move out because they can no longer afford the rising cost of living. This can break up families and disrupt social networks that have been in place for generations. It can also lead to an increase in crime as new residents move in who are not familiar with the area and its customs.
Some people argue that gentrification is a positive force because it brings new investment into communities that have been neglected for years. However, this investment often does not benefit the existing residents, but instead benefits only the new arrivals. This can create resentment and tension between the old and new residents, leading to further divisions within a community.
Displacement of residents
The displacement of residents is one of the most common negative impacts of Big Tech companies coming to small towns. When these companies move in, they often drive up housing prices and push out long-time residents who can no longer afford to live there. This can lead to a loss of community and a feeling of rootlessness among those who are forced to move.
In addition, the influx of well-paid tech workers can exacerbate income inequality and put strain on local services that are not designed for such a large population. This can include everything from an overloaded public transportation system to a housing market that is unable to keep up with demand.
Finally, the presence of Big Tech can often lead to a loss of small businesses, as they are unable to compete with the deep pockets and expansive reach of these larger companies. This can have a devastating impact on the local economy, as small businesses are often the backbone of small communities.
The Ugly
Big tech coming to small towns is often seen as a good thing. However, there can be some downsides to it as well. One downside is that the prices of homes in the area can increase, making it difficult for locals to afford. Another downside is that the arrival of big tech can often lead to a loss of the community feel in a town.
Loss of community
When big tech companies move into small towns, they often bring with them a sense of excitement and hope for the future. However, this new wave of development can also lead to the displacement of long-time residents and the loss of community spirit that makes these towns so special.
In many cases, big tech companies will purchase large tracts of land in order to build their campuses. This can lead to rising property values and taxes, which can price out local residents who have lived in the town for generations. In addition, these companies often bring with them a different culture that can be at odds with the existing community. This can lead to tension and conflict between newcomers and old-timers.
The loss of community spirit is perhaps the most tragic consequence of big tech’s encroachment on small towns. These communities are built on a foundation of shared values and traditions, which can be eroded when outsiders come in and change the landscape. This can leave residents feeling rootless and disconnected from the places they once called home.
Increased crime
Big tech companies coming to small towns can often lead to an increase in crime. This is because these companies often bring in a lot of money and workers, which can lead to higher prices for goods and services and more competition for jobs. This can often lead to tension between locals and newcomers, and can sometimes result in crime.
Environmental destruction
In the past few years, a new type of company has been moving into small towns across America. These companies are typically in the tech or energy industries, and they often come with promises of jobs and economic development.
However, these companies also bring with them a host of environmental problems. For example, many tech companies require a lot of electricity to power their data centers. This can lead to higher carbon emissions and air pollution. In addition, these companies often build their facilities in rural areas that don’t have the infrastructure to support them. This can lead to water shortages and soil erosion.
What’s more, these companies often don’t pay taxes to the local community, or they receive tax breaks that others don’t get. This can put a strain on local services like schools and roads.
The bottom line is that when big tech comes to small towns, it can be a mixed blessing. On the one hand, these companies can bring jobs and economic development. On the other hand, they can also cause environmental destruction and strain local services.
