Search

The document has 3 goals (1) to examine the distribution of economic benefits of industrial development as reflected by the concept of competition in human ecology; (2) to provide an empirical test of the ecological model, and (3) to relate the findings to public policy. Two Illinois study areas were identified. First, as an experimental region, Putnam County and bordering sections of the 3 contiguous counties were selected. Second, a comparable region across the state--Iroquois County--was selected as a control region. Both regions: (1) are about equidistant from Chicago, (2) had similar highway and railway systems in 1966, and (3) were rural agricultural counties similar in demographic composition. In 1966, 1,171 household heads were interviewed in the experimental region, and 411 in the control region. Five years later, after the industrial plant had beenin operation, 1,166 persons in the experimental region were interviewed and 399 in the control region. Findings are presented in 5 tables and are summarized--e.g., Table 1 presents gross and net effects on income of each category of competitive capacity. (FF)

The impact of a large manufacturing plant on a small village in "middle America" was explored in this paper. Research was conducted in Illinois using Putnam County as an "experimental" region and Iroquois County as a "control." In the spring of 1966, the Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation began construction of a major production complex at the village of Hennepin in Putnam County. Operation at the "Hennepin Works" began in December 1967. In June 1966, 1,128 household heads in Putnam and 411 heads in Iroquois County were interviewed. In the summer of 1971, 1,029 heads in Putnam County and 377 in Iroquois County were interviewed. Individuals' total yearly income measured economic status. The income of the samples from each region were dichotomized on the basis of age and sex. Findings provided strong empirical support for the hypothesis that the elderly residents and female heads of households receive little direct economic benefit from new industry. (NQ)