Challenge Michigan’s Central Upper Peninsula (Central UP) has long been defined by its natural resources, pristine landscapes, and deep-rooted outdoor heritage. Job losses and economic shifts resulting from the closure of the Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette highlighted the importance of industry diversification. As one of the region’s major […]
Challenge The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) is a federal-state partnership serving a 252-county/parish area encompassing portions of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. Led by a Federal Co-Chairman and the governors of each participating state, the DRA is charged with improving the standard of living for the
Challenge The Central Upper Peninsula of Michigan boasts remarkable assets. Despite its distance from major urban centers, its natural beauty, higher education institutions, and emerging technology assets stand out both within Michigan and nationally. Facilities such as the Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Sawyer International Airport, and Northern Michigan University’s indoor agriculture
Challenge Known as the Crossroads of America, the Central Indiana region—Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, and Morgan Counties—has a wealth of assets. Home to Indianapolis, the 15th largest city in the US, the region has a long history as the sports capital of America. Events like the Indy
Challenge The counties along Wisconsin’s Interstate 41 (I-41) corridor have traditionally comprised one of the nation’s largest manufacturing regions, with the sector accounting for nearly 19 percent of all jobs in 2016 (compared with just 8 percent of employment nationally). Following the Great Recession, the five-county area experienced steady job
Challenge Situated in northern Illinois, Grundy County’s rural charm, robust transportation network, and proximity to Chicago have spurred industrial development and attracted individuals and families seeking less densely populated areas. However, steady population gains and continued industrial expansion have highlighted the need to better balance growth with preservation of the
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 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 Located in picturesque southwestern Wisconsin, Sauk County’s rolling hills, pristine waterways, and thriving communities combine to create an appealing and vibrant region. Although the County may be best known as the home of the Wisconsin Dells—proudly named “The Waterpark Capital of the World!®”—the area boasts a range of economic
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
