ED Futures Newsletter

January 8, 2006

Dear ED Futures Reader:

First, I'd like to thank the readers commenting on the 2006 Outlook issue from last week. It seems the issue was well-received and helpful. I am pleased to hear this.

Your comments indicate there is a need for a longer view of economic events and developments. I will honor this interest with more "longer view" articles during the new year.

Below are links to some interesting articles from the past week. I am especially interested in your views of the "business legacy cost" issue. It is a controversial issue, but I believe that the business world needs to change how it thinks about its commitments. Moreover, I believe the economic development community needs to reward business commitment, longevity, and innovation over the long haul.

Finally, I would argue that the economic development community should be more willing to look at the long term impact it has and does not have on the competitiveness of local and state economies. In the past couple of weeks, I have read several EDO annual reports and statements of accomplishment for 2005, and find virtually NO reference to the long term.

Like the businesses we are so eager to serve, our profession has become consumed with the short-term bottom line. That's not enough! If you have not already published your annual report for 2005, do yourself a favor and include at least a few sentences about the long term impact and significance of what you do. If you do, share a copy with me and I will publish it here at ED Futures.

Hop in a plane and take a 30,000-foot view of your area economy at the start of the new year. You may discover many things that you won't see from a windshield driving survey of your area.

Recent ED Futures Articles:

U.S. Jobs Still Lagging

Indiana's ED Performance in 2005

Baby Boomers and Florida's Palm Coast

U.S. Auto Sales in 2005: Domestics Losing Ground

Target Industry: Paper Products Manufacturing

Target Industry: Fruit and Vegetable Processing

Another Take on Business Legacy Costs

Should The Dow Ditch General Motors?

Wal-Mart Does So So During Holiday Season

Best of luck!

Don Iannone
ED Futures Publisher
Email: dtia@don-iannone.com
Phone: 440.449.0753