在线词典

A company town is a place where, at least initially, practically all stores and buildings are owned by the one joint-stock company that has a geographically-linked business need and so provides employment and infrastructure (housing, stores, transportation, sewage and water) to support the effort. Typically, such towns are founded in a remote location, so that residents cannot easily commute or shop elsewhere, and as often, once a community takes hold and begins to grow (attracting other non-company residents, relatives and small business capitalists and settlers with other employment, such as rail road or highway employees), the company will sell off or rent properties within the town to increase their return on investment, in effect divesting themselves of the town property over time.