Challenge Georgetown, Texas, has been one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities in recent years. Notably, Georgetown experienced more than 100 years of prosperity which was largely independent of the Austin metropolitan area’s expansion. Assets like Southwestern University, one of the state’s oldest higher education institutions, and a nationally recognized Beaux-Arts […]
Challenge Clovis, New Mexico, is fortunate to have an array of economic advantages that have helped the community weather the Great Recession (2007–2009) and the COVID-19-induced recession. These advantages include a robust agricultural sector, Cannon Air Force Base (Cannon AFB), strong manufacturing employers, and an abundance of cultural assets. While
Challenge Tampa Bay’s strong economic base, high-profile developments, diverse culture, and desirable amenities have made it one of the country’s fastest-growing regions. Guided by its 2017 strategic plan, the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (TBEDC), formerly the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation, has been instrumental in several regional transformations. Despite
Challenge Covering 14 counties, along with the Saginaw metropolitan area and the sovereign Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, the East Michigan Council of Governments (EMCOG) region is incredibly diverse in terms of its geography, demographics, and economic base. As a result, EMCOG’s comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) must account
Challenge Interstate 68 (I-68) is a 113-mile, east-west highway that travels through mountainous and rural areas to connect I-70 in Hancock, Maryland, to I-79 in Morgantown, West Virginia. In 2016, the counties and cities that share I-68 as a common asset formed the I-68 Regional Economic Partnership (REP). While the
Challenge Situated just north of Houston in Montgomery County, Texas, Conroe’s employment situation in the latter half of the 2010s mirrored national trends. The county’s unemployment levels reached historic levels—as low as 2.8 percent in May 2019—and job growth in the county was outpacing the growth of the local labor
Challenge Home to Fort Campbell, the nation’s third largest military installation, and a desirable mix of private-sector employment, the Clarksville-Montgomery County region has remained a magnet for population and employment growth, even during the national economic downturn. Maintaining the region’s quality of place and the employment opportunities that attracted this
Challenge Located in South Carolina’s Upstate region, Greenville County is home to one of the nation’s most vibrant economies. Its long track record of attracting large-scale domestic and international investment has garnered media attention, including the front page of the Wall Street Journal and a segment on CBS’s 60 Minutes.
Challenge Part of the Puget Sound area, Kittitas County was hit hard by the 2008 recession. Like major metropolitan areas across the country, the heavily technology-dependent region saw a steep decline in economic activity as well as vital state funding. County leaders realized that traditional economic development activities centered on
Challenge Home to Columbia, South Carolina’s state capital, Richland County boasts an impressive array of assets, including postsecondary institutions, transportation infrastructure, and the US Army’s Fort Jackson. Richland County also offers unique neighborhoods; historical landmarks and homes; a thriving riverfront; cultural, arts, and entertainment offerings; and outdoor recreation. This attractive
