01/19/2017: Live from Erie, Pennsylvania
Jan 19, 2017

01/19/2017: Live from Erie, Pennsylvania

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The story of Erie, Pennsylvania — a manufacturing town that's lost hundreds of jobs and is looking for President-elect Donald Trump to bring them back — is the story of the 2016 election. Erie County went red for the first time in decades, and now its residents are anxiously waiting to see what Trump's campaign promises look like in action. To kick off our yearlong reporting project "The Big Promise," we're recording the whole show live from a brewery in Erie. We talk to small business owners, an economist, a union leader, an immigrant and one of the folks tasked with resettling refugees here.

This story was produced as part of our election series, How the Deck is Stacked, in collaboration with Frontline and PBS NewsHour. You can find more stories related to this series here.

Segments From this episode

If manufacturing jobs can't come back, what happens next?

Jan 19, 2017
We talk to Penn State economist Kenneth Louie about the future of a manufacturing county that flipped for Trump.
A factory in Erie County, PA. 
Maitham Basha-Agha/Marketplace

How does a manufacturing town remake itself for a new economy?

Jan 19, 2017
One union leader said he's not moved by Trump's promises to bring jobs like his back to Erie — workers are retraining instead.
A retired factory in Erie County, PA.
Maitham Basha-Agha/Marketplace

Erie's population bolstered by immigrants

Jan 19, 2017
But there are fears about what Donald Trump's policies could mean for new arrivals.
Bassam Dabbah is one of Erie's residents who immigrated from Jordan. Dabbah is now a proud American citizen.
Maitham Basha-Agha/Marketplace

What these small business owners need from Trump

Jan 19, 2017
Meet entrepreneurs with high hopes for the incoming administration.
Sondralee Orengia, owner of Custom Audio, sells home and car audio systems.
Maitham Basha-Agha/Marketplace

The story of Erie, Pennsylvania — a manufacturing town that’s lost hundreds of jobs and is looking for President-elect Donald Trump to bring them back — is the story of the 2016 election. Erie County went red for the first time in decades, and now its residents are anxiously waiting to see what Trump’s campaign promises look like in action. To kick off our yearlong reporting project “The Big Promise,” we’re recording the whole show live from a brewery in Erie. We talk to small business owners, an economist, a union leader, an immigrant and one of the folks tasked with resettling refugees here.

This story was produced as part of our election series, How the Deck is Stacked, in collaboration with Frontline and PBS NewsHour. You can find more stories related to this series here.

Music from the episode

Guns Are Drawn The Roots, Son Little
Let Me Blow Ya Mind Eve, Gwen Stefani
Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars) Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Bruno Mars
Yesterday Atmosphere