A Great "Small Town"
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11/17/2006
The data on Jackson can be misleading because it refers to a very small part of the Greater Jackson area which I believe increases the population to about 200,000.
This said, Jackson has a very "small town" feel to it because everyone knows everyone. This is because everyone is related to someone, or knows someone who works for the "big three" employers here: Consumers Energy, Foote Hospital or the Prison (the largest in the state.) Other big manufacturing companies exist and a surprising number of corporations have their world headquarters here (Dawn Foods, Alro Steel, etc), but still it is very hard to find a good job as there is hardly any movement once one is hired. Literally, many people make their last career move here, either dying or retiring out of their job.
Lots of people choose to work elsewhere (Ann Arbor, Lansing) and commute because they like the small-town feel. "It's a great place to raise kids" is a common saying here because the crime is low, the schools are good, and of course, there's the TOY HOUSE, a locally owned toy store that's bigger and better than any Toys'R Us you've seen. Plus, the Midwest in general has a 'nurturing' nature to it.
There's a big push to help reignite interest is the city. And more '20-something' coffee houses are appearing downtown. Many feel there is a change in the air (and not just frigid temperatures)... let's just hope it happens soon.
Shannon | Jackson, MI