But Midwestern cities are also facing a crisis of their own — struggling to attract workers, residents, and visitors to their downtowns. Nine of the 13 Midwestern cities tracked in the study were in the bottom half of the rankings. In the early part of the 20th century, Midwestern cities boomed — attracting workers and families seeking out manufacturing jobs and education. Many Midwestern cities relied on a single industry or even a single company to buttress its economy. "If office workers are coming downtown less, but college students are willing to come downtown more, what about literally putting a college in your downtown?"

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