JD Vance’s reshoring pitch targets struggling small towns like St. Cloud

In a recent column, the author links Vice President JD Vance’s midterm convention speech on reshoring to the plight of St. Cloud, Minnesota, a midsize city with roughly 80,000 residents. While downtown restaurants are busy, almost 50% of commercial real estate sits empty, and foot traffic remains modest. The loss of the long-standing Herberger’s department store in 2018 and the shutdown of several factories have left a noticeable void, compounded by the 2019 cancellation of St. Cloud State University’s football program.

The writer contends that Vance’s agenda—encouraging American firms to hire domestically—could spark a turnaround if a sizable manufacturing plant or tech company created a few thousand jobs. The article also highlights local worries about a fraud scheme involving Somali immigrants and debates over cultural assimilation, reflecting broader social tensions in the community.