Challenge Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) benefits from a high quality of life with an abundance of natural resources. Yet despite its many assets, the 15-county region has experienced a steady decline in population for more than four decades, a trend that is expected to continue for the next 20 years. […]
Challenge Located in the Tampa Bay region, Pinellas County, Florida, is home to beautiful beaches, vibrant communities, excellent colleges and universities, and diverse and forward-looking companies, assets that have served it well through tumultuous times. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the county has been effective in working with
Challenge Located in picturesque southwestern Wisconsin, Sauk County’s rolling hills, pristine waterways, and thriving communities combine to create an appealing and vibrant region. Although the County may be best known as the home of the Wisconsin Dells—proudly named “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”—the area boasts a range of economic
Challenge Mississippi ranks at or near the bottom of national standings for critical health metrics like diabetes and heart disease that tie directly to insufficient healthy food access, affordability, and nutrition. Along with food security, the state also faces challenges related to social equity and climate, particularly in the Gulf
Challenge Known for its family-friendly environment, excellent schools, abundance of greenspace, and vibrant neighborhoods, the Town of Flower Mound, Texas, has carved out a distinct identity within the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. In recent years, Flower Mound has garnered attention for its balanced growth, from new business developments to strategic
Challenge Shelton, Washington, was slow to recover from the Great Recession. As of 2018, employment levels had not reached pre-recession levels and the region’s unemployment rate remained several points above the national rate. Furthermore, residents struggled with negative perceptions of the local government and the community itself. Response The city
Challenge Located on the Central Coast of California, the City of San Luis Obispo (City) functions as one of the region’s economic centers. It boasts a blend of industries, a strong visitor economy, a vibrant downtown, proximity to outdoor recreation amenities, and the presence of California Polytechnic State University and
Challenge Since 1980, Texas has suffered more billion-dollar natural disasters than any other state in the nation. Many quantitative analyses estimate the state’s overall economic loss due to natural disasters. Weather-related damage to homes, roads, buildings, and infrastructure clearly exact both a financial and personal toll on individuals, neighborhoods, businesses,
Challenge Between 2010 and 2015, the Fort Collins–Loveland economy expanded at a rapid pace, adding nearly 20,000 jobs. The local labor market did not keep pace, however, adding just 11,000 workers over the same period. This imbalance, coupled with low unemployment and high underemployment, left many employers unable to find
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
