Challenge Oakland County has been an economic leader in Michigan, often outpacing state and national averages in educational attainment, median household income, and labor force participation. Thanks in large part to its concentration of jobs in the professional services and healthcare sectors, the county managed to rebound from the job […]
Challenge Shelbyville is advantageously located in central Tennessee between the booming metropolitan hubs of Nashville and Huntsville. The community boasts a robust manufacturing base, rich cultural traditions like the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, and valuable natural assets along the Duck River. However, accelerating regional growth has triggered infrastructure constraints
Challenge McAllen has long been an economic development leader in the Rio Grande Valley. The community has leveraged the combined strengths of northern Mexico and south Texas, driving both population and economic growth. The McAllen Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) effective and sustained domestic and international marketing efforts have resulted in
Challenge In 2018, Brownsville was the largest US city in the Rio Grande Valley and a rapidly growing, bi-national region with more than 2.5 million residents. The community was in the midst of an unprecedented convergence of major investment projects from both the private sector (such as SpaceX’s new Boca
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 Located in the heart of Texas, Waco has the building blocks required for long-term success. Advantages fueling the city’s growing population and recent economic development wins include relatively inexpensive land (with available sites along the bustling IH-35 corridor), access to multiple higher education institutions (a network encompassing Baylor University
Challenge Overland Park, Kansas, is a strong hub for corporate and professional services located in the southwest quadrant of the Kansas City metropolitan statistical area. The second largest city in Kansas, Overland Park offers a lower cost of living relative to the nation’s coasts; high-quality education institutions; and access to
Challenge Following three decades of strong population growth, Kittitas County, Washington, experienced even higher levels of in-migration in the years leading up to the 2020 Census. Anecdotal evidence suggested this trend was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, as those who had flexible work arrangements, or who could afford to move
Challenge Alexandria, Virginia, is defined by its rich history, distinctive character, and a symbiotic relationship with the federal government. While its proximity to Washington, DC, and a highly educated workforce have fueled a thriving economy, the City now faces a pivotal moment of uncertainty. Housing has become increasingly unaffordable, and
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
