Challenge Despite its position as the central city of one of the most dynamic regions in the country, Dallas faces fierce competition for investment, jobs, and talent. Many of the city’s regional competitors boast well-funded economic development organizations, enabling them to offer generous financial incentives in the form of land, […]
Challenge In addition to producing the talent the economy relies on, innovation born out of Texas higher education institutions plays an essential role in the state’s global economic competitiveness. State leaders have made significant investments in this area, nearly tripling the number of top tier research universities in the past
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 While issues related to racism and equity have been present for generations, several pivotal events in 2020 shone a bright light on the scale and pervasive nature of racial disparities. In the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic downturn drew attention to the importance
Challenge The COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic upheaval had a negative impact on business supply chains, workers, and communities in Texas and around the globe. This upheaval exacerbated existing business challenges, particularly for small- and minority-owned businesses. Along with its challenges, the downturn presented opportunities to build on trends that
Challenge The Columbus Partnership (Partnership) is a CEO group comprised of 80 leaders from the region’s largest companies and institutions. The organization is charged with aligning business leadership behind the vision of Columbus, Ohio, becoming the most prosperous metropolitan area in the country in terms of both economic and social
Challenge Historically, east Austin has not received a proportionate share of revenue or investment. When investment has occurred in this part of the city, the benefits have often excluded current residents or resulted in displacement. As growth pressures continued to affect major east Austin corridors, forward-looking investors sought strategies for
Challenge As the central county of one of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas (Houston, Texas), Harris County provides an extensive array of services to a population the size of which rivals many states. Despite its numerous responsibilities, broad network, and substantial budget, the County lacked a clear role in economic
Challenge The use of incentives is often criticized for providing a subsidy to a private entity at the expense of taxpayers. However, a strategic approach to structuring and targeting incentives can be an effective means of achieving specific goals and desired outcomes. As part of the establishment of an office
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
