Challenge Pearl River County sits at the center of the Gulf Coast super-region that stretches from Baton Rouge and New Orleans to Northwest Florida and is home to more than 5 million residents. Along with its geographic advantages, the County’s assets include transportation infrastructure (Interstate 59, Picayune Municipal Airport, freight […]
Challenge The US military and defense sector represents a key driver in Alaska, accounting for tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in federal spending. Yet, despite its outsized role, there were significant gaps in understanding among public sector decision makers at all levels of the impact of
Challenge Faced with more than three decades of stagnant population trends and lagging income and educational attainment, Muskogee, Oklahoma, was at a crossroads. Despite the area’s many assets, which included a strong base of private and public sector employers, desirable market access, and a committed group of leaders, Muskogee failed
Challenge Located at the center of the Seattle metropolitan area, Kirkland benefited from the region’s large population base and its national reputation. Its coveted location allowed Kirkland to integrate a variety of employment opportunities with a livable and vibrant community. Despite these advantages, Kirkland was not immune to threats. The
Challenge Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) is an energy infrastructure company with assets across the natural gas value chain, including exploration, processing, and transport. These assets include the ownership and operation of more than 30,000 miles of pipelines, including the 10,000-mile Transco pipeline which extends from
Challenge The federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC 2005) decided to realign the 188th Fighter Wings of the Air National Guard at Fort Smith, Arkansas. This decision prompted concerted action on the community’s part to maintain existing levels of engagement with Fort Smith. Though the community avoided economic catastrophe,
Challenge Traditionally dependent on heavy industry, Racine County sought to foster an environment where technology-based industries could develop and thrive. The county offered many of the elements that defined success under traditional economic development models: close proximity to two major metro areas, a significant manufacturing base comprised of an enviable
Challenge Cross-border trade plays an essential role in the economy of the ten states that fall along both sides of the US-Mexico border. As growing anti-trade sentiment in the US threatened long-standing global trade agreements, including NAFTA, The Mexicans and Americans Thinking Together (MATT) Foundation commissioned a study in 2017
Challenge Klickitat County’s assets—which include relatively low tax rates, a desirable quality of life, scenic landscapes, and access to a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities—have long drawn people to the area. Portions of the county have become retirement destinations, translating to an above-average share of older residents and lower rates
Challenge Located in southwestern Washington along the Columbia River, Cowlitz County built a manufacturing-based economy from its roots in the timber and shipping industries. Global economic changes accelerated by the Great Recession meant the sectors most suited to the region’s traditional strengths—a strong network of natural resource-based companies supported by
