(06-30-2020 09:32 AM)Big Red Wrote: ...but where are the people coming from that are doing the actual work (carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc)?
Traditionally (pre-Great Recession), when cities had large building projects, they experienced a flood of low-skilled undocumented construction workers, who stayed for many years afterward, needing free or low-cost public services (schools, hospitals, churches, etc.). While DeKalb's economic development folks probably gave FB tax credits and other incentives for bringing 100 "good-paying" post-construction jobs to the city, I doubt they mandated that FB's contractors had to document that every painter, plumber, electrician, landscaper, drywaller, etc. had a Social Security Number, with preference given to local contractors hired at prevailing local wages.
These recent large projects coming to DeKalb could really change the demographic and socioeconomic makeup of the city for decades to com.
Americans need to make a choice - you can't be anti-union and anti-immigrant at the same time if you want people to earn living (not fair) wages. Otherwise, you'll pay higher taxes one way or the other.
On the bright side, FB is building in a university town, which is probably not a coincidence. It makes it easier for them to do research, beta test products, hire tech workers, etc. That means FB might do some investing in NIU. I can't imagine they won't also be sponsoring some NIU events/activities/facilities/etc.