Rust Belt Economic Churn

This letter to the editor of the Indy Star reminds me that perception often needs a reality check:

Statistics compiled by the local electronics industry confirm that 80 percent of the companies that leave Indiana go to other Rust Belt states. Ohio is the number one recipient, Illinois second and Michigan third. China, Mexico and California are way down on the list. This trend shows all signs of continuing at the same rate regardless of the positive spin showcased in [the Dec. 13 article "The Silicon Valley of the car industry" by Ted Evanoff].

When businesses leave Rust Belt cities, how far do they actually travel? In my mind, the Indiana electronics industry story makes a good case for more mega-regional collaboration.