Meaning of "cemented local loyalties"

[cooliegirly]

"Mobility has scattered families and eroded the continuities that once cemented local loyalties."

In this context, does cemented local loyalties mean the same as bound local loyalties together?

[Conchita]

Yes, Cooliegirly, you could say that 'to cement', in your sentence, means 'to bind together', 'to make closer' or 'to strengthen' as in 'to cement friendship between two countries' or 'to cement a relationship'.

[Torsten]

[cooliegirly]

To Torsten: Ok...

To Conchita: Thank you!