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Inside a remote small town and its $1.5 billion big factory as they both fight for survival - and it is a battle being played out across the US
A remote small town and its $1.5 billion factory are fighting for survival - and it is a battle being played out nationwide.
Warroad, Minnesota, a town of just 2,000 people near the Canadian border, is known for its prized walleye fish, hockey legacy, and the sprawling yellow complex of Marvin, a $1.5 billion window and door manufacturer.
Warroad is the quintessential American small town - but it is facing modern-day challenges.
Founded over a century ago, Marvin has weathered economic downturns and catastrophic fires that razed its factories, but it has survived each time.
Today, however, the challenge is different as the town faces a dwindling workforce.
A remote small town and its $1.5 billion big factory are fighting for survival - and it is a battle being played out nationwide
Founded over a century ago, Marvin has weathered economic downturns and catastrophic fires that razed its factories, but it has survived each time
With more baby boomers retiring from its ranks than new recruits stepping in, Marvin finds itself facing dozens of unfilled positions, which are crucial to its businesses.
'The company, the family, we're always supportive of anything that's good for the town,' Chief Executive Paul Marvin told the Wall Street Journal. 'If we really just wanted to be more profitable, there's better towns than this.'
Marvin, 49, initiated 'The Path North,' a bold recruitment drive targeting distant shores, like Puerto Rico and Florida, where economic disparities have created a pool of potential talent who are eager for stability.
But the road to relocating to the frigid northern temperature in the remote outpost isn't easy.
Sam Borja of Integrated Staffing Solutions, helped in the recruitment, and emphasized the drastic adjustment newcomers face when moving from warmer climates.
'Warroad is by far the most geographically isolated place that we've worked with,' Borja told the WSJ. 'It's not for everyone.'
Today, however, the challenge is different as the town faces a dwindling workforce
With more baby boomers retiring from its ranks than new recruits stepping in, Marvin finds itself facing dozens of unfilled positions, which are crucial to its businesses
Retaining the recruits poses another challenge, and reflects a broader trend in American manufacturing where skilled labor is scarce and many workers are often disinclined towards factory careers.
But many, like Alan Rodriguez, one transplant from West Palm Beach, find stability and joy in the move to Warroad.
Rodriguez highlighted the security and respect he has for Warroad, comparing it with the economic hardships and crime he faced in Florida.
'I feel the American dream here,' said Rodriguez, who moved to Warroad in October.
'The other day I went to an ATM to get cash,' he told the outlet. 'I walk to my car with cash in my hand and said, hey, I can't do this in Florida. Someone would come up and steal it.' In Warroad, he said, 'the most dangerous thing is the deer on the highway.'
He emphasized feeling pride and gaining respect for his job now.
'Florida felt like Cuba, without the dictator,' he said. 'You wear something that says Marvin, you're a god.'
But Warroad's appeal does not necessarily resonate with younger generations.
Retaining the recruits poses another challenge, and reflects a broader trend in American manufacturing where skilled labor is scarce and many workers are often disinclined towards factory careers
High school graduates are attending distant colleges, and returning mainly to start families or seek white-collar jobs.
The Mayor of the town, Bob Marvin, said high school kids 'can't hardly wait to get out of town.'
Companies nationwide are in similar positions - struggling to fill manufacturing and construction jobs.
The challenge is due to a shortage of skilled workers, retirement of baby boomers and younger generations' choice about entering these fields.
The Manufacturing Institute has warned that over 2 million manufacturing jobs could remain vacant by 2030 if current trends persist.
In January, the US added 23,000 manufacturing jobs, yet in December, there were 601,000 open positions - a three-month high according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.