Why Call It “The Rust Belt”?

I’m open to other names for the region. But until there’s another name that’s as evocative as this one, I’m keeping it.

There’s a question I get every so often in social media – “why do you use the term “Rust Belt”?“ Usually it comes from people who live in the region, who dislike the term and wish for some kind of rebranding. I agree. But what’s better?

Before I discuss options, let’s talk about the term “Rust Belt” itself. There are many thoughts on the origin of the te…