Challenge West Virginia’s Kanawha Valley region, anchored by the Charleston metropolitan area, faces long-standing economic challenges including troubling population loss, below-average employment growth, lagging unemployment rates, and low levels of workforce participation. At the same time, new leadership and promising opportunities sparked a renewed sense of agency, urgency, and optimism […]
Challenge From its origins as a farming community, Auburn has transformed into a center for industry, serving as home to one of Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ most essential fabrication sites and the world’s largest airplane parts plant. The community’s commitment to quality of place is evident in its attention to civic
Challenge Since it was created by the General Assembly in 2017, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership (DPP) has established itself as a first-rate statewide economic development organization. The public-private partnership (P3) has generated an impressive return—helping to locate 56 projects totaling $1.52 billion in capital investment—and has built trust and credibility
Challenge Faced with the closure of the Charleston Naval Complex in the early 1990s and the loss of some 22,000 jobs, Charleston County leaders responded decisively, establishing an economic development function with broad deal-making authority and dedicated funding. The decision proved to be a game-changer when Charleston was selected as
Challenge From its inception, Rosenberg has enjoyed a unique position in the Texas Gulf Coast region. Located just 30 miles from Houston, the city’s notable infrastructure—which includes three major railways, an interstate highway, and Port Freeport—contributes to its historic reputation as a hub for industrial production and distribution. Coupled with
Challenge Rancho Cordova, California, is well-positioned as a dynamic economic hub in the Sacramento region. The community’s geographic location, diverse workforce, and business-friendly environment have already attracted significant employers in healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing. However, economic and social shifts following the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for a more resilient
Challenge Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP) benefits from a high quality of life with an abundance of natural resources. Yet despite its many assets, the 15-county region has experienced a steady decline in population for more than four decades, a trend that is expected to continue for the next 20 years.
Challenge Fragmentation of services is a common challenge among state-level workforce development systems, often resulting in inconsistencies in service delivery and a lack of clarity in priorities and vision. Delaware’s publicly funded workforce system encompasses more than a dozen organizations including county- and state-level entities. While its three counties function
Challenge Northwest Indiana (comprised of Lake, Porter, and La Porte Counties) faces both old and new obstacles on its path to sustainable economic growth. Some, such as the decline of the steel industry, have been impacting the region for years. Others, like the region’s housing and workforce shortages, are nationwide
Challenge Bounded by the Cook Inlet and the Chugach Mountains, Anchorage is situated in one of the world’s most beautiful settings. Its scenic parks and trails, upscale ski resort, top-tier restaurants, and unique cultural and arts amenities make the city a popular destination for visitors and adventure seekers from around
