Challenge At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas unemployment rate skyrocketed from its historical low of 3.4 percent in January 2020 to its historical high of 12.6 percent in April 2020. Like the rest of the country, a wide range of stakeholders, including public officials and economic development […]
Challenge Once considered a sleepy college town on the outskirts of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, Denton has experienced extensive growth since the city’s last comprehensive economic development plan in 2003. Since then, City leaders have made investments in the downtown district and an industrial park that put Denton squarely
Challenge One of a handful of US cities recognized around the world for its vivid history and cultural richness, San Antonio combines relatively affordable housing with a variety of amenities and entertainment options, an array of postsecondary institutions, and diverse career opportunities. Yet despite its many advantages, San Antonio’s track
Challenge The COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic upheaval had a negative impact on business supply chains, workers, and communities in Texas and around the globe. This upheaval exacerbated existing business challenges, particularly for small- and minority-owned businesses. Along with its challenges, the downturn presented opportunities to build on trends that
Challenge As the economic engine of the country’s fourth-largest metropolitan area, Dallas is a city of opportunity. Billions of dollars in investments have poured into the city in recent years as companies of all sizes have chosen to make major commitments to Dallas. However, the city’s prosperity has not been
Challenge Between 2000 and 2017, Fort Worth was one of the fastest-growing large cities in the US. Furthermore, the city has cultivated a unique identity and brand, combining rich cultural heritage with an economy driven by industry-leading employers. Fort Worth achieved this success without a comprehensive, citywide approach for economic
Challenge Led by a resurgence in energy and petrochemicals, the greater Houston region experienced an extended period of unprecedented growth. With almost $20 billion in investment in new plants and facilities announced along the Gulf Coast, the region was in an enviable position. Employers, however, were concerned that the region
Challenge The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is a federal-state partnership serving a 252-county/parish area encompassing portions of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Led by a Federal Co-Chairman and the governors of each participating state, the DRA is charged with improving the standard of living for the
Challenge The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma saw unprecedented growth and business success leading up to 2018. However, low educational attainment, aging infrastructure, and slow job growth continued to threaten many of the tribe’s surrounding communities in southeast Oklahoma. To channel the regional momentum and address specific challenges, the Choctaw Business
Challenge The Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan boasts remarkable assets. Despite its distance from major urban centers, its natural beauty, higher education institutions, and emerging technology assets stand out both within Michigan and nationally. Facilities such as the Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Sawyer International Airport, and Northern Michigan University’s indoor agriculture
