Economics/ Government Policy
Recent Features
Navigating Uncharted Waters: 5 Trends Affecting Capital Investment Plans
A new administration in Washington, escalating wages, and a dwindling supply of industrial real estate are just some of the trends that may cause companies to take a wait-and-see approach to capital investment.
Aerospace Industry Costs "Disrupted" by Economic Development Partnerships
As competition for aerospace investment and jobs heats up, economic developers are increasingly offering tax relief, infrastructure and financial support, and workforce partnerships.
What Can Manufacturers Expect From the New Administration?
Doug Woods, president of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), gives his organization’s take on the current landscape and outlook for America’s manufacturers’.
2016 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Recognize States That Have Garnered High-Impact Economic Development Projects
The states receiving this year’s Shovel Awards are being recognized for their large numbers of high-impact economic development projects, including $1 billion+ deals with thousands of new jobs. Six states — California, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina, Nevada and Utah — are being awarded Gold Shovels in recognition of projects undertaken in 2015.
Do Free-Trade Agreements Represent Fair Trade?
The U.S. has far fewer free-trade agreements in place than its North American neighbors, while many make arguments for and against these agreements.
12th Annual Consultants Survey: Clients’ Robust New Facility/Expansion Plans Revealed
Two thirds of the consultants believe the economy is on a continuous growth track, and nearly all are busy helping clients with new facility and expansion plans. The primary recipient of these new facilities will be the Southern states.
Location Notebook: Tesla’s “Gigafactory” - Reno’s Game Changer
With the announcement that Tesla picked Reno for its highly publicized $5 billion “gigafactory,” the area took a giant step toward civic leaders' goal of remaking its economy and image. To win the project, the state offered a rich — and what will be a highly scrutinized — incentive package. Will the bold gamble pay off?
A “Transformative” Trade-Agreement Model for the U.S.
If a ‘high-level” Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement can be signed, it could help create 700,000 new jobs as early as 2015 by eliminating barriers on trade with multiple Pacific Rim Nations.
Why the C-Suite Should Focus on Incentives
As governments at all levels increase their use of incentives, companies must figure out how to best capitalize on these offerings to increase their competitive advantage.
America’s Economic Strength Built on Global Connections
Considering the fact that global investment from foreign-based companies supports 6.8 million American jobs, U.S. trade policy should not be viewed as an “us vs. them” proposition.
Corporate Tax Reform to Have Positive, Domino Effect on U.S. Industrial Economy
While the timing and details of a new corporate tax policy are still uncertain, it will change the business landscape for U.S. companies of all sizes for the better.
2017 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Recognize States Compiling Healthy Rosters of New and Expanded Facilities
The work of economic development is a complicated mix of salesmanship, customer service, technical and legal expertise, communications, relationship-building, and a healthy dose of good fortune.
31st Annual Survey of Corporate Executives Commentary: Political Risk Comes to the United States
International site selection is already changing in response to our new era of presidential tweeting. To last year’s rankings must now be added the challenges presented by major shifts in federal policies and tactics.
First Person: The American CEOs One Shot at Capturing a Manufacturing Resurgence
Steven L. Blue is CEO of Miller Ingenuity, an innovative company revolutionizing traditional safety solutions for railway workers, and author of American Manufacturing 2.0: What Went Wrong and How to Make It Right. In this interview he provides insights for the business community on how to be innovative and competitive.
Editor’s Note: Manufacturing Execs Offer Insights on the Effect of Trump Administration’s Policies on Growth
75% of C-level manufacturing executives surveyed believe that economic conditions under the new Trump administration will be favorable to moving ahead with new facility or facility expansion plans.
Industrial Manufacturers’ Optimism Reflected in Expectations of Higher Revenue Growth, Increased Capital Spending
PwC’s Q4/2016 Manufacturing Barometer reveals increased optimism about the U.S. economy. The senior executives of U.S.-based industrial manufacturing companies surveyed expect revenues to increase, and they are also increasing their capital spending plans.
Compliance: Where Incentives Are Won or Lost
Proper incentives compliance reporting will help a company to ensure that it receives the full value of the incentives it was offered in the application and negotiations process.
Leading Locations for 2015: Creating a Track Record of Economic Success, Denver-Aurora-Broomfield Ranks First
Area Development analyzed economic and workforce data for 373 MSAs to determine which U.S. cities are creating jobs and nurturing sustainable economic development. The results of the Leading Locations 2015 study clearly reflect the strength of the western half of the United States: eight of the top-10 MSAs are in the West — three in Colorado, two in California, two in Texas, and one in Washington State.
The Evolution of Economic Development: 1965 - 2015
Since Area Development’s inaugural issue 50 years ago, the economic development process has changed dramatically.
First Person: U.S. Economy Uniquely Positioned for 21st Century
One of Area Development’s staff editors recently interviewed Peter Zeihan, a former analyst at the geopolitical security firm Stratfor and author of The Accidental Superpower. Zeihan discusses the North American shale boom and the role of the U.S. in protecting global trade.
29th Annual Survey of Corporate Executives: A Realignment of Location Priorities
The location and expansion plans of our Corporate Survey respondents are not as robust as we had hoped, and their site selection priorities have been realigned, with facilities costs supplanting labor considerations.
First Person: A Tire Giant Helps Grow Small Business
Forming positive relationships with the communities in which they are located is important for companies, large and small. These relationships foster further economic growth within the host communities. With that in mind, Area Development’s editor recently interviewed John Tully, the director of Michelin Development, formed specifically to offer support to new small and medium-size businesses.
In Focus: New Development of Small Industrial Facilities Expected as Inventory Dwindles
Lack of inventory for smaller scale industrial facilities in certain markets has created more competition among tenants and is expected to prompt activity from regional and national industrial developers, bringing new, state-of-the-art buildings to market.
Positive Outlook for Middle Market Manufacturing Execs
Amid growing optimism, the manufacturing sector plans to add jobs over the next 12 months. Small and mid-size manufacturing and distribution companies expect solid growth over the next 12 months — and two-thirds plan to add jobs during that period. In fact, these growing companies expect to increase their workforces by 6 percent, up from 4 percent in 2013.
Energy-Rich States Growing U.S. Economy, Shifting Global Balance
States with plentiful energy resources exhibited the fastest rates of economic growth last year; nationwide growth in energy-related jobs was more than twice the national average of overall job growth.
Tesla’s New Battery Plant to Bring Electric Vehicles to the Masses
A comprehensive incentives package (pending legislative approval), proximity to natural resources and abundant renewable energy potential are significant factors that will improve Tesla’s odds of success in the “get things done state.”
Special Investment Report: Florida’s Eastern and Mid-Gulf Coasts
How many places in the world can claim to be on the cutting edge of both space and ocean transportation? It’s a striking illustration of the economic diversity you’ll find as you scan down the East Coast of Florida and then partway up the Gulf side.
Canada’s Competitive Corporate Tax Landscape
Canada has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the business tax landscape. Once known for having one of the highest corporate income tax rates in the developed world, Canada now has one of the lowest rates of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrial economies and is near the middle of the pack of OECD countries.
Canada to Widen It's Channels of Trade
Although it’s not without challenges, implementation of Canada’s trade agreement with the EU would have many benefits as well as an economic impact on world trade.
In Focus: Toronto Named World’s “Most Intelligent” Community
The debate about whether broadband and technology should become required investments is over. The discussion now is how to connect these neutral technologies to an endless natural resource: the human being. For the next 12 months Toronto will be the city that serves as the model of the Intelligent Community movement and the future.
At the Forefront of the Advanced Manufacturing Movement, Canada Embraces Transformation
A leader in innovative manufacturing, Canada recognizes and supports its knowledge-based, high-tech industries which, in turn, continue to invest in cutting-edge R&D
Location Notebook: Kentucky Keeps Its Economy On Track
As states throughout the nation struggled during the recession, Kentucky quickly acted to help its economy not only recover but also grow.
Editor’s Note: Which Locations Are Leading in Economic Growth and Job Creation?
Although the economy was off to a slow start this year, the states and MSAs highlighted in Area Development’s Gold and Silver Shovel and 100 Leading Locations reports will be among the leaders of the predicted economic rebound for 2014.
Leading Locations for 2014: Economic Strength and Year-Over-Year Growth MSAs
Nine of the top-10 cities in the Area Development 2014 “Economic Strength” ranking benefited greatly from boom times for oil and gas development and refining, or from their area’s historic and growing position at the forefront of a burgeoning area of the global economy.
Transportation Equipment: A Key Economic Driver
Growth in the automotive, aerospace, and other transportation related manufacturing industries is rolling along at a steady pace.
Leading Locations for 2014 Commentary: Why Should I Measure Regional Economic Performance Using Gross Metro Product (GMP)?
Measuring economic perfor-mance can be a difficult task, and no single measure offers a complete picture. However, a comparison of gross metro product (GMP) is often the best starting point for judging regional performance.
