Housing Bubble 2: Return of the Ugly

Thing is: There's nothing there

The only businesses I saw in those towns were a lunch counter, the prison, and a shop selling "souvenirs" made by prisoners. Without the prison, there goes 2/3 of your economy (well, probably a lot more than 2/3 unless you pull a serious lunch crowd). So now your town is just a lunch counter in the middle of the desert. If you're lucky, maybe there's a tourist attraction further down the highway bringing travelers who will keep your restaurant open.