Regional Economic Development

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The city’s eco-devo chief need not spend a lot of time fashioning tax incentives or recruiting new employers. True to that, Pettigrew plans to focus on encouraging entrepreneurship.

"The vitality of a community is really linked to the vitality of its entrepreneur community."

Fifty-six million people live and work in rural America. Over 25 million
proprietor-owned businesses operate in rural America, with one fourth of
all part-time and full-time jobs in rural America linked to rural proprietors.
Current data clearly show that small businesses generate the majority of
new jobs in rural America.

The paper concludes by arguing that this general approach should be used to mount a serious and sustained effort to project and help prepare for the extensive changes in work that are likely to occur as computer abilities increase over the coming decades.

Building homes in forested areas is like playing with fire

Between government mandates for increased use of biofuels and increased consumer and business interest in those fuels for their supposed advantages in price, supply or environmental impacts, more capital for more refineries, seed-processing plants and supporting infrastructure is headed rural America’s way.

"Educating our children can’t be left only to schools. Businesses must become involved in the process, as outcomes are critical to our competitive position…We view education at all levels — even early K — as a future work-force and business issue."

A new collection of research shows that people who have access to affordable housing don’t just have a better place to live, but more easily improve their health and education level.

Small businesses bear a disproportionate share of the federal
regulatory burden.

Montana ranks 29th among the states for the well-being of its children and has the lowest infant mortality rate in the nation, a report released Tuesday by the Annie E. Casey Foundation said.