Regional Economic Development

There are a lot of reasons why the recession hit Oregon particularly hard. But the single biggest one, experts agree, is the state’s heavy reliance on a single, notoriously volatile industry — semiconductor manufacturing.

A $53-million revitalization of its once-dying downtown core helped Walla Walla to win a 2001 Great American Main Street award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A year later, the trust chose the city as one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations, or "pockets of serenity amid the sprawling clutter and homogenization that have overwhelmed so many American vacation spots."

Searching for the right federal grants program?

Governor Mark Warner recently launched "Virginia Works", a rural economic development program focusing on existing businesses and industries, including agriculture and tourism.

"To remain competitive with neighboring states, we need the state’s support," said Julie Coons, the Technology Council of Maryland’s new president. "Our businesses need venture capital incentives and R&D tax credits for new and existing business. Our higher education institutions need continued support and we all need an ICC. The Governor is listening and that’s critical for the tech community."

Our six district offices approved
4,322 guaranteed loans worth over $710 million – a 13 percent increase
over FY 2003!

I am busy with two stellar venture capitalists are helping us form a $15 M
venture fund for North Dakota as well as other entrepreneur initiatives.

“Energy production is an exciting growth sector for U.S. agriculture,”

"Many states are so busy competing with each other [to lure outside businesses] … they forget about the businesses that are already creating jobs and paying taxes in their own state," he said.

The Role of Education: Promoting the Economic and Social Vitality of Rural America is a compilation of nine research articles in three key topic areas