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 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 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
Challenge Kentucky’s Green River Region is situated along the scenic Ohio River. The seven counties comprising the region (Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster) provide options ranging from quintessential Kentucky horse farms to urban lofts. The region has enjoyed strong leadership; effective organizations; and unique assets, including the
Challenge Situated in South Central Alaska, Mat-Su Borough covers an expansive area totaling nearly 25,000 square miles. Since 1970, Mat-Su has experienced explosive population growth, driven largely by Anchorage residents drawn to its more affordable housing options and appealing lifestyle. The associated residential construction surge resulted in haphazard growth patterns
Challenge Through most of its history, downtown was a major destination for tourism and economic activity within Hot Springs. Its proximity to Hot Springs National Park (the first in the nation) and the presence of Bathhouse Row drew visitors to the region for over a century. But, over time, downtown
