The TV networks make a killing pitting people against challenges to see who will survive.

In real life, however, survival…? Not quite so entertaining.

Jackson, also affectionately known as Prison City, is its own survival challenge. (Read “News From Prison City” in the topics to the right if you haven’t been following.)

Here’s a recap:

• There’s no boom for business. Sparton Corporation which was founded in Jackson 100 years ago left town this year. There was also downsizing and layoffs at MACI, Consumers, Gerdau MacSteel and Melling Tool. Even the gas stations are struggling to stay in business.
• With businesses cutting the fat, the job market gets skinny. The unemployment in Jackson County was 14.5 percent in October.
• When people can’t work, you beg from Peter to pay Paul…unless Peter just lost his house.1 in every 12 Jackson homes were foreclosed on in 2009.
• Those that have houses are scrambling to heat them. The Community Action Agency receives from 560 to 1,200 calls a month from residents struggling to keep their utilities on.
• Schools are stuck in a corner. Jackson Public Schools were slammed with massive million dollar-level cuts at the state level. And Jackson Community College, the most affordable college as well as the college that serves the area’s most diverse population, has also been told to expect cuts between 20-25% of their funding.
• Downtown is wearing a long face. New mayor Karen Dunigan kicked off her campaign in front of a vacant storefront to symbolize her commitment to revitalizing downtown. But the city is still struggling to find an affordable use for the Hotel Hayes. The city council recently voted to board up the monstrous undeveloped building, leading construction gurus to diagnose the old landmark as “freezing to death.”

On the plus side, though–and there always is a plus side–Jackson received federal stimulus funds to help resuscitate our outdated train depot,as well as funding from Housing and Urban Development to assist the area’s homeless.

And all counts in, the local Salvation Army kettle drives exceeded their goal by $16,000 despite the area’s economic hardship. Concerned citizens even chipped in over the holidays to help out the cab driver who was recently stabbed (see previous post) .

This of course shows there are always people who see and create hope in hard times, such as Jackson’s citizen of the year, Wanda Beavers who is the president of the Partnership Park Neighborhood Association, a group designed to improve the standard of living for the 700 residents of one of our struggling neighborhoods.  And then there’s people like 82 year old Betty Brockie who works at the food pantry at Higby Street Church of Christ.

And lastly, a couple of little plusses: the park by my house recently held a Mystery at the Museum day, which tempted me to pass myself off as an eight year old so I could show off my childhood Nancy-Drew-Trixie-Belden-Mystery-Solving-Skills. I know I could’ve found the lost necklace. I just know it. The other kids would’ve been so jealous.

Oh, and did I mention (sound your noisemakers) bars and restaurants go smoke free May 1st?

Yep. Its true. We’ve just caught up with the trend to be more eco-friendly and I’m applauding from Prison City.

Smoking is gross.Not to mention, its not good for the emperor. And we’ve gotta keep the emperor on the up and up. After all, he’s going to be one of the main characters in Survivor: Prison City.