Local resident Jeff Seedor, 55, stands in his front yard in Shamokin.
Tucked away in the coal country northwest of Philadelphia, the city of Shamokin has $800,000 of unpaid bills and can't get a loan from a bank. In fact, it's so broke, the gas service to city hall was temporarily cut off last month.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
A decrepit wedding shop, which went out of business ten years ago, still displays clothes in its front window.
The city council is asking the state for economic help. Once Shamokin is registered on the state program, it will be declared as financially distressed. If the plan goes ahead, the 700,000 inhabitants of Shamokin could face higher taxes and job cuts.
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. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
Market Street is reflected in a shop window in downtown Shamokin.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
Eric Feese, 31, and his four-year-old daughter, Gianna Mannion, knock on their landlord’s door to pay their rent.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
Bill Milibrand, 54, has been the city's mayor for four months.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
Five Shamokin residents pose for a photograph in the street; Jessica Kruleski, 33, Traci Carmen, 34, Gary Parks, 27, Anson Barrett, 5, and Jeff Try, 22.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
Locksmith Judy Wariki, 67, has lived in Shamokin her whole life.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
Faded high school prom photos remain in the storefront of a wedding store that went out of business 10 years ago.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
A woman sits on the street in her wheelchair as she eats a donut.
. Shamokin, United States. Reuters/Mark Makela
A man sits on his front porch drinking a can of beer.