The industrial zone in northern Greece, once throbbing with activity is now just deserted buildings and old factories standing empty. The industrial boom in Thrace first started in 1976, when the Greek government decided to subsidize the construction of hundreds of factories in the area, in order to keep Greeks from immigrating to Germany and the US. The state gave loans of up to 85% of the needed capitals. Soon more than 370 businesses were being built, projecting employment for 26.970 people. The banks joined with generous loans. But, when the financial crisis and its consequences hit Greece in 2008, less than 10 factories were left. Today, the unemployment rate in the area has reached 50%.
