Here's One To Follow

Click here to read an early press release on a new study that the LA County EDC is about to release. I think the LA folks are on to something here--they must deal with the urban complexities that surround and embody the economy that lives in LA County.

Rochester, NH Pitches Education Boost

Click here to read Rochester's proposal to the new governor of New Hampshire. Makes sense if Rochester and other NH regions are going to build the workforce of the future.

Very Good Idea!

Here is a good idea that should get notice. As a U of A student in the late 60s and early 70s, this one makes sense to me, if it is done in an environmentally-compatible way.

The University of Arizona is in discussions with KB Home to build a residential and commercial development that would include a biotechnology industrial park on 350 acres at the northwestern corner of Kino Parkway and Interstate 10.

Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup first described the project in his State of the City speech last week.
The location is ideal because it's close to the university, said Bruce Wright, UA's associate vice president of economic development. I agree, Bruce.

More here.

Georgia's Centers of Innovation Program

Georgia's Centers of Innovation program, launched by Governor Sonny Perdue to enhance long-term economic development for the state, has several research projects under way for 2005 and continues to build momentum, earn research funding and create jobs.

Here to learn more.

Sparks Fly In Utah

All is not smooth sailing when it comes to making change. Of course, making change is often not well understood when it is initiated by government officials. Click here to hear the buzz about proposed changes in Utah's economic development operation.

Marion, VA Success Story

Small communities can do big things in economic development. Click here to read a story about how one small Virginia community did it.

Portland, Maine #1 Small Biz Market

Portland, Maine has emerged overall leader among 92 U.S. cities studied and ranked as the hottest small business market in which to develop a company.

The study suggests Portland to be the strongest small-business sector of major metropolitan area in the United States. The study, conducted by American City Business Journals, is based on a four-category formula that rates local business climates using 2000-2002 figures, the most current official statistics available.

One to Think About

"One can only know the true joy of victory by being well acquainted with the agony of defeat."

--Bradley Hannaford

MetLife Teacher Survey

Educators, community and business leaders, parents and students gathered in New York this week to discuss The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: An Examination of School Leadership. The survey, the latest in MetLife's annual series conducted by Harris Interactive(R) since 1984, examines the attitudes and opinions of teachers, principals, parents and students regarding school leadership. This is an important issue for economic development! More here.

Airbus U.S. Plant Planned

Airbus' parent company has launched a nationwide search for a site to build a military modification and assembly plant to build refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force.
The site also would be home to a new engineering center, with plans to open in 2006, EADS North America officials said rcently. More here.

Hampton Roads, VA Consolidates EDOs

This seems to be on track with what is happening elsewhere around the country. Hampton City Council signed off on the merger of Hampton Roads' two economic development agencies Wednesday, clearing the way for the formation of a single group that would market the entire region to businesses worldwide.The new group would try to lure businesses from around the world to a region with more than 1.5 million people, stretching from Gloucester County to Isle of Wight County to Virginia Beach. More here.

One to Think About

"It's not the situation ... It's your reaction to the situation."

--Robert Conklin

US County Pay Level Growth

Click here to see how US counties did.

In summary, among the Nation’s largest counties, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, which includes Boston, led the nation in growth in average weekly wages in the second quarter of 2004, with an over-the-year increase of 11.8 percent. Pierce County, Washington, which includes the city of Tacoma, was second with 9.8 percent growth. The counties with the next highest rates of pay growth were Lee, Florida (in southwestern Florida), Spartanburg, South Carolina (which borders North Carolina), and Rock Island, Illinois (which borders Iowa).In the U.S. overall, average weekly wages were 3.1 percent higher in the second quarter of 2004 than in the second quarter of 2003.

County Employment Growth

Click here to see how your county did in the past year from an employment growth standpoint. This covers the last 12 months.

Here is a short summary. Of the 317 largest counties in the United States, 155 had over-the-yearpercentage growth in employment above the national average in June 2004,and 146 experienced changes below the national average. Average weeklywages grew faster than the national average in 139 of the largest U.S.counties, while the percent change in average weekly wages was below thenational average in 163 counties.

Advanced Energy

If you are doing work on alternative energy, green power, and related issues, you might want to stop by and see what this Raleigh-based association is up to. Click here.

One to Think About

"All the best intentions in the world won’t revitalize our cities’ economic vitality unless urban school districts begin graduating, in larger numbers, the type of well-educated future workers who will be able to perform the jobs the new economy demands."

--Bill King, Editor, Expansion Management Magazine

New Mexico Gets With Hydrogen Economy

It's coming...the hydrogen economy that is. Yes, it will take some time. It's worth thinking about. Click here to see what New Mexico has in mind in this regard.

How Did Your School District Rank?

As many of you know, Expansion Management Magazine ranks several thousand school districts natiowide each year in terms of their quality and readiness to support economic development. Click here to see how your district ranked in 2004.

Should Cleveland Allow a Casino?

That is a key question being asked by Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell and a host of others.

The area's top business group, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, has embarked on a study to see what the market for casino gambling actually looks like.

This will be interesting. I think a lot of people in Cleveland believe the City must so something dramatic to slow down the central city's downward economic spiral. Click here to read more.

Toledo's Tax Burden: Maybe Not So Bad

That is the conclusion of a recent Toledo Blade article, based upon research conducted by the City of Toledo and others. Click here to read the story.

Dealing with Arizona's Rural Water Needs

Click here to see what the ThinkAZ research institute suggests as a plan to address Arizona's rural water issues.

Arizona's Water Supply

All signs point to the need for better stewardship of Arizona's water supply in the future. The availability of water could shape the state's appetite for development in the future. Every place on Earth has its carrying capacity. Go beyond it and look out. Click here to read the latest on the Arizona water situation.

McKinsey Take: Maybe Manufacturers Should Stay at Home

Now here is one you might find interesting. It goes without saying that offshoring is NOT for everyone. A new McKinsey and Company analysis says it might actually be better for many US manufacturers to stay put here, rather than skip off to cheaper global production locations. Go here to read the article.

Fast Growing North American Technology Businesses

Deloitte Consulting has prepared an analysis of the fastest growing tech companies in North America. Click here to see the list. Is your area a hotbed for these types of companies? While these companies are found in many cities and regions, they tend to be concentrated in a handful of major metro areas.

Fast Growing Asian Technology Companies

If technology business recruitment is a priority, then take a few moments to review Deloitte Consulting's listing of the fastest growing technology businesses in the Asia-Pacific Rim. Click here to view the list.

KPMG Global Auto Survey

For those of you interested in the global auto industry, you might find KPMG's new global survey to be of interest.

Among the notable trends, shifts, and strong perceptions were the following:

• Global overcapacity was less of a concern than in previous years.
• Japanese sales growth is maturing; market-share gains will come from
Korean and, eventually, Chinese brands.
• Foreign maker and supplier investment in China will increase, but profits
there might come under pressure. An eventual vehicle-maker shakeout in
China appears likely.
• North American makers’ loss of global market share will slow.
• Sales incentives are here to stay but won’t increase much.
• Higher profits are slipping further into the future, to 2006 or 2007, and losses
are expected to have have peaked, for the time being, back in 2003.
• Fuel efficiency is now a key industry issue.
• The comeback of the car will continue, while SUV, pickup, and minivan
sales will stabilize at or near present levels for the next few years.
• Luxury vehicles will lose some appeal.
• The concern that the industry has parted company with consumer wants
and needs is abating.
• Safety is a basic tenet to the industry now and will continue to be an
ongoing major focus for consumers and manufacturers alike.
• Labor relations have entered a stable period.
• New technology will be as important as new models in attracting customers.

Download the full report here.