Chapter 193
Firstly, many people had been fish farming–some even spent their whole lives doing it. Once the fishing industry was abandoned, many people would lose their source of income, leading to widespread unemployment, which would be bad for the economy and stability of Aqua City.
Secondly, due to the booming tourism, there were countless hotels, inns, and farm stays in Aqua City. Not long ago, they had just spent millions on relocating towns, building tourism areas, and developing agritourism. Now, all of that would be scrapped. The money would be wasted just like that, and people were going to have strong opinions about it!
Most importantly, Aqua City did not have many factories either. Hence, they did not have enough jobs for all the newly unemployed or ensure everyone could make a living.
It was no exaggeration to say that once they announced that decision, the people who took out loans to start fish farms, farm stays, and tourism projects would go bankrupt!
Stephen asked, “Do you have any better ideas?”
Adam was at a loss for words.
It would take at least a year for Aqua City to return to its former state, and that was too long.
“If you have no solution, we’ll do it my way. Rest assured. I care about Aqua City’s economy more than anyone else. This time, I won’t be wrong!”
After a simple meeting, Stephen held a press conference. He announced publicly that Aqua City would focus on industrial development and welcomed all companies to invest in Aqua City. The decision sent shockwaves through Aqua City.
The fishermen were all left stunned. Over the past few months, they had lost massive numbers of fish, and that alone was a painful blow. Yet now, before they could receive any compensation, they were told to abandon the fishing industry altogether.
With the number of factories going up, the water quality in Aqua City would deteriorate even more. That meant fish farming would soon be impossible.
“This is madness!”
“I just took a loan of three million to start a fish farm, and now, they’re abandoning the fishing industry? What will I do with all that debt?”
“If we can’t farm fish anymore, what will we do in the future?”
The fishermen were not the only group affected Every hotel’s owner and staff were hit hard too.
“Tourism is being abandoned too?”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 193
“It hasn’t even been a year since my hotel was renovated. I haven’t broken even yet. How is tourism gone already?”
“I’m 500 thousand in debt. How will I pay it back?”
The people running rural farm stays and trendy tourist spots were all dumbfounded,
“Is this decision for real?”
“Have they lost their minds?”
“We just set up these farm stays and tourist spots. Are we going to scrap it just because they don’t want it anymore?”
“Our entire village pooled money to build this agritourism place!”
Many of the towns pooled money, some even using their retirement funds. In the end, the tourism industry of Aqua City was abandoned not even half a month after the operation started!
“Are they trying to kill us?”
Throughout Aqua City, dozens of towns were dissatisfied. The towns‘ mayors led hundreds of people to the city, demanding an explanation from Adam. Hotel owners and staff were also unhappy with the decision and wanted answers.
Countless fishermen had staked all their assets and hopes on the fishing industry, but almost all their fish were dead before they could mature. That blow had already crushed many, and now, with talk of abandoning the fishing industry altogether, they could not take it anymore.
All the fishermen came together, rushing to the streets with weapons in their hands, demanding a solution. Telling them to abandon the fishing industry was basically telling them to stop living.
Aqua City, which had returned to peace, plunged into chaos again.
Fishermen, hotel owners, and staff roamed the streets, together with town people, who wanted an explanation. A massive crowd marched through the streets, easily over 10 thousand people!
The local law enforcement, responsible for protecting the city’s peace, was stunned at that sight. No one knew how to handle the situation
If it had been foreign agitators or intentional troublemakers, they could act. However, all of them were locals; some were even their relatives. There was no way to stop them.
