Challenge With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the labor market experienced a whirlwind of changes. Texas witnessed a record high unemployment rate, a higher rate of workers retiring due to health concerns, and some workers leaving the labor force altogether. To address these challenges and strengthen the regional talent …
Challenge Charged with linking transportation and land use planning in a 7-county region of northeastern Illinois, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and its partners have a strong history of collaboration. Long-range planning efforts such as ON TO 2050, the region’s current comprehensive plan that identified economically disconnected and …
Chicago Metropolitan Area Planning (IL) – Inclusive Growth Analysis Read More
Challenge Known as the Crossroads of America, the Central Indiana region—Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, and Morgan Counties—has a wealth of assets. Home to Indianapolis, the 15th largest city in the US, the region has a long history as the sports capital of America. Events like the Indy …
Challenge In early 2020, Central Texas had enjoyed years of record-setting expansion and a labor market with historically low unemployment. However, even under these favorable conditions, worrisome trends loomed. The aging of the workforce and retirement exposure, the educational attainment of the working-age population, youth disconnection, and the digitalization of …
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (Austin, TX) – Regional Workforce Strategy Read More
Challenge Northwest Indiana’s economy has long been driven by its deep manufacturing base, proximity to Chicago and Lake Michigan, multimodal transportation infrastructure, and agricultural production and processing sectors. Natural amenities, well-regarded higher education and healthcare institutions, a skilled workforce, diverse communities, and a competitive business climate contributed to the region’s …
Northwest Indiana Forum – Ignite The Region: Economic Transformation Strategy Read More
Challenge Northwest Indiana (comprised of Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties) faces both old and new obstacles on its path to sustainable economic growth. Some, such as the decline of the steel industry, have been impacting the region for years. Others, like the region’s housing and workforce shortages, are nationwide …
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission – Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan Read More
Challenge The Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area has experienced unprecedented economic growth and prosperity for decades. However, much of the region’s population has not shared in that prosperity. The area has rapidly become less affordable for residents—including those with jobs—as housing costs have continued to outpace wage growth. At the same …
Workforce Solutions Capital Area (Austin, TX) – Master Community Workforce Plan Read More
Challenge The Red River Army Depot (RRAD) has long been the single largest employer and a critical economic engine in the bi-state Texarkana region. In response to cuts in federal defense spending and Army downsizing, regional officials sought to prepare for what they anticipated would be further workload reductions and …
Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas – Regional Talent Retention & Economic Growth Strategy Read More
Challenge Through their location in Southern Oregon, Jackson and Josephine Counties have a number of strategic advantages. The area’s natural beauty and unique cultural amenities make it a draw for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts. The region is home to a wide array of industries, including many niche and artisanal businesses. …
SOREDI (Southern Oregon) – Economic Development Strategic Plan Read More
Challenge Despite its long history of collaboration, the 11-county Northeast Indiana region faces significant challenges. These include limited population growth outside of Allen County (Fort Wayne), postsecondary education and credential attainment that lags state and national benchmarks, and per capita personal income levels that have fallen substantially below the US …
