We're one of fifty. Who knew?
Because I'm a dork, I come across a lot
of weird things to which most normal people wouldn't give even an
iota of thought. Yesterday, one of those things, an article on National Geographic's website made me do a double take, because it's something I wouldn't have
expected. The story is about “Megaregions” in the U.S.--areas
geographically and economically connected to a center location. The
article's a little dense, but when you step back and think about it,
it makes perfect sense. People, with their lifestyle and their
money, tend to cluster around convenient “hubs”, for the lack of
a better word. As the article points out, research has shown that
there are 50 of these “Megaregions” in the U.S., and you know
what?
Marquette is the “hub” of one of
them.
Don't believe me? Take a look at this
map--
The map shows the 50 “Megaregions”
in the U.S., and the areas that make them up. Most, as you may
notice, are centered around major cities like Chicago, but because of
geographic isolation, there are a few centered around smaller cities.
And we're one of them.
I mean, it's not a surprise. People
always joke about Marquette being the “capital” of the U.P., but
I would've thought the U.P. would've been part of another
“Megaregion”; not necessarily our own. However, think of how
things have changed over the past few years. Think of how many
businesses the past few years have located in Marquette, and because
of that how people from all over the U.P. no longer go to Green Bay
for shopping. They come to Marquette instead. The same with medical
care. And the same with a lot of young people who leave Escanaba or
Iron River or Newberry and come to Marquette for school or to start
their careers.
When you think of it that way, it makes
perfect sense that Marquette is the hub of a “Megaregion”. As
far as I can tell, we may be the smallest “hub” of the 50 ” Megaregions”, but it still makes perfect sense. So if in the next
few years you see further economic development, or population growth,
or more attention being paid to our little corner of heaven, realize
that there may actually be a scientific reason behind it.
Because we're the capital of a
“Megaregion”.
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