Challenge Located southwest of Houston, Fort Bend County is one of Texas’s largest and most diverse counties, encompassing communities from the historic county seat of Richmond to up-and-coming cities like Sugar Land and Fulshear. It is also one of the nation’s fastest-growing counties, thanks to strategic advantages including transportation assets […]
Challenge Incorporated in 1914 in what is now the heart of the Dallas metroplex, Irving, Texas, has experienced remarkable growth over the last five decades. From Las Colinas, which pioneered the master-planned community model, to the bustling Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Irving’s forward-thinking development and successful attraction of global
Challenge Arlington is a city with enviable assets. It lies at the center of two major urban areas—Dallas and Fort Worth—providing access to excellent transportation infrastructure, a rising research university, and world-class tourist attractions. However, the community faces challenges associated with an aging building stock, limited greenfield sites, and competition
Challenge Arlington’s growth over the past three decades has been remarkable. With a population of 400,000, the city has affirmed its position as the pivot point in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area. Home to the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA, which was designated a Texas Tier One research institution
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 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
Challenge Renowned for its quality of life and creative industries, the Austin metropolitan area consistently lands on national “best of” lists and has become a magnet for both talent and companies. While the resulting economic boom has improved several prosperity measures for Travis County residents—resulting in declining poverty rates, rising
Challenge Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) play a key role in expanding access to financial products and services in low-income and moderate-income communities. A range of institutions can be designated as CDFIs including banks, credit unions, loan funds, and venture capital funds. An August 2023 analysis by the Federal Reserve
Challenge Chester County emerged from the Great Recession with unparalleled growth opportunities. These opportunities included a dynamic agriculture sector that dominates the entire Philadelphia region, one of the world’s leading financial companies, and a potentially game-changing internet startup. Recognizing the need to build on these assets and support the area’s
Challenge With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the labor market experienced a whirlwind of changes. Texas witnessed a record high unemployment rate, a higher rate of workers retiring due to health concerns, and some workers leaving the labor force altogether. To address these challenges and strengthen the regional talent
