regional bank play. reasons it may do better than most. perhaps

reasons

1. the other black gold, soil. located in the center of prime growing fertile fields.

2. Champaign-Urbana. most don't know a single thing about it. hint* it's been a HUGE player behind the scenes DRIVING AMERICAN DOMINANCE FOR DECADES.

3. AI hub, one of only about a half a dozen.

4. Epicenter of BIG AG research, since BEFORE the dotcom thing.

5. the area still has some factories 🏭 open and employing people.

so, those are some reasons. whether it pans out, who knows..