How Rustbelt Cities Are Making a Comeback

A dramatic past can be a good thing, some cities are saying. Places like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Oakland and Detroit are drawing on their histories of race-related activism or factory shutdowns and using those details to attract business, tourists and new residents. They say the ups and downs of the past helped make them what they are today.

"Being a steel city and a blue-collar city aren't negatives," says Connie George, vice president for communications at the newly launched Visit Pittsburgh website and campaign, whose theme is "mighty beautiful."

The city came up with the phrase after asking visitors and potential visitors what they thought of Pittsburgh and what they'd like to see. The theme is meant to combine the lure of the city's hilly countryside with its history of immigrants scraping out new lives.

"We're approachable," George says. "If I'm walking down the street, somebody will invite me on their porch."