Blog

Safe Neighborhoods and Economic Development

Are Inextricably Entwined

Did you know the Department of Justice has a nation-wide Project Safe Neighborhoods program? Their website states:

“…the program is based on the fundamental principle that law enforcement agencies and communities must work together to address violent crime to make our neighborhoods safer”

PSN is a community-based violence reduction strategy in which each local program is designed to address the specific violent crime problem in each district. Every U.S. Attorney across the country is implementing a PSN program tailored to the needs of his or her district.”

The Family & Economic Development

What does the family have to do with economic development? I will answer that question, but please bear with me for a moment.

During this, very different, Christmas season, it is even more important to value and cherish our families.

This is especially true in light of the attack on the family. Yes, the attack. An unfortunately-prominent activist group has published on their website, their goal of eliminating the “nuclear family.” This family unit has two parents and any number of children. Several years ago, someone wrote children should be raised by a “village.” The nuclear family, of course, in no way, reduces the positive impact of the extended family.

Freedom and Economic Development

Thanksgiving in Florida 

One could argue the United States has been a great location for economic development. It must be, since millions of people have always come from other countries to start a new life. This of course, includes starting a new job or business. We can look back to the Mayflower this Thanksgiving season to find an example of this travel to America to obtain freedom and the desire to have more control over one’s destiny. The United States has become the most powerful, influential and prosperous country in the world. We have also been the most free.

Fair, Free and Democratic Elections

Can Economic Development Survive without them?

We are in the midst of our national election. As American citizens, we have the right and the privilege to vote. We need to feel confident our process is fair. Our freedoms are most evident when we exercise our right to vote. Our country is based on a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Economic development depends on these freedoms. There are plenty of examples where lack of fair and free elections prohibit freedom and economic development.
 

Is the U.S. Seeing a Manufacturing Renaissance?

October is Manufacturing Month. In that light, let’s take a look at how manufacturing is doing in the United States, Florida and Okaloosa County.

In 2018, 264,000 new manufacturing jobs were added in the U.S. This represents the highest number of new workers since 1988. As a percentage of total workforce, manufacturing rose for the first time since 1984.

Manufacturers in the U.S. added 499,000 jobs from November of 2016 to May of 2019, expanding by 4.0%.

Socialism and Economic Development

How does that work?
 
There has been a lot of talk in the news about Socialism. In May of 2019, Gallup released poll results showing 43% of Americans think Socialism would be a good thing.

This seems to show that Americans don’t understand what Socialism really is. You can’t have a free market and state controlled production and property.

Censorship, the Cancel-Culture & Economic Development

Censorship, the Cancel-Culture & Economic Development
Just the Facts.

In 2019 Amazon wanted to build a headquarters in New York. They would have received an estimated $3 billion in incentives in return for creating at least 25,000 jobs, an Amazon-sponsored employment center and workforce development program focused on technology training and local recruitment, including for those living in the Queensbridge public housing project, and neighborhood improvements such as a 3.5-acre park and waterfront esplanade.

Businesses Leaving Riot-Torn Cities Is a Man-Made Disaster

Quality of Life and Economic Prosperity Will Take a Long Time to Recover

A company that has been in Minneapolis for 80 years is leaving that city. Businesses in Seattle are moving to Idaho and Arizona or at least out of the area to other parts of Washington State.

For many years now, people and businesses have been leaving California in droves. This has been in large part due to government policies, such as onerous tax burdens. The Nevada real estate market has been a testament to this exodus.  Today the Phoenix, Arizona real estate market is booming as is the Boise market.

Will Coronavirus Impact a Company’s Future Relocation?

Not all states have handled this pandemic the same way. Not all states were affected the same way. Georgia “opened up” earlier than most, as did Colorado. One governor is a Democrat and one is Republican, so it isn’t just politics. Some states have had very strict rules and others have been less restrictive.

It is obvious the U.S. economy has been devastated by the shutting down of business. Most leaders probably did the best they could with the information available. Some leaders have been criticized for going too far. Will governors look back at how they managed their state during this time and match their policies to the rate of economic recovery? 

American Independence from China

A New Industrial Revolution?
 
Last month I wrote about our dependence on China for 80 percent of our antibiotics.

I made the case the United States should have health and medical independence. We can’t remain in such a vulnerable position. We now have energy independence. We were totally dependent on OPEC countries and Russia. Both energy and health are national security issues, economic issues and should be economic development priorities.