Urban Refugees Drowning Small Towns

A national transformation is taking place as small towns in the U.S. struggle to survive the onslaught urban and suburban refugees. Experts say lack of planning makes the problem worse.

1 minute read

July 31, 2001, 12:00 PM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech

"While some towns struggle to attract new industry and keep a town square alive, others try to slam the brakes on growth, as roads, sewers and schools strain under the load of new homes and families...planning experts say, small towns are so eager for investment that they don't plan. Strip malls are commonplace on the outskirts of boomburb and decaying town alike. Yet they often bring congestion and suck business out of downtown, leaving a town with a hollow center and an ugly fringe."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

FULL STORY: Small-town blues: Suburbs, brain drain take toll on slice of Americana

Monday, July 30, 2001 in The Seattle Times

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