http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/5-strategies-for-going-local-joe-mullich-1

from the American Express Open Forum…

Though slowed by the recession, these US cities have flourished by fostering innovations that put Americans to work and keep the nation ahead of the competition. See link to report below:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/10-best-cities-for-the-next-decade.aspx?page=1

Texas Tops List of Best Business States
Top executives rate Texas as the No. 1 state in which to do business for the fifth year in a row.

Chief Executive magazine’s annual Best & Worst States survey measures business conditions in all 50 states, evaluating proximity to markets and resources, regulation, tax policies, workforce quality, education resources, quality of life and infrastructure.

The biggest gainers are Washington, which moved up 10 spots, and Arkansas, which rose eight positions. The biggest losers are Oregon, down 14 positions, and North Dakota and Connecticut, both down seven spots.

Those states selected as the best places to do business are:

1. Texas
2. North Carolina
3. Tennessee
4. Virginia
5. Nevada

Those states identified as the worst places to do business are:

1. California
2. New York
3. Michigan
4. New Jersey
5. Massachusetts

Source: Chief Executive (05/13/2010)

An interesting article about 2 counties in Alabama:

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=119380571&gid=2164533&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edailyyonder%2Ecom%2Ftwo-counties-and-difference-education-makes%2F2010%2F04%2F01%2F2671&urlhash=vEdl&trk=news_discuss

http://www.scbizmag.com/content/view/136823/1

A new study by NC State University & ONet:

http://www.onetcenter.org/reports/Green.html

Will “green” jobs be a fad, an industry itself, or an integral part of every industry sector?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704059004575127711780438090.html?mod=dist_smartbrief#printMode

The EDA’s new Community Trade Adjustment Assistance (Community TAA) Program is aimed at helping to create and retain jobs by providing project grants to communities that have experienced, or are threatened by, job loss resulting from international trade impacts.

Grants under the program can be used to support a wide range of technical, planning, and infrastructure projects to help communities adapt to pressing trade impact issues and diversify their economies. For further information: http://www.eda.gov/InvestmentsGrants/CommunityTAA

A new series of surveys, “Kauffman Economic Outlook: A Quarterly Survey of Top Economics Bloggers,” taps people who write regularly on the economy from a variety of vantage points for their insights on the future.

http://www.kauffman.org/uploadedFiles/econ_blogger_outlook_q1_2010.pdf

The Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University has released its annual State Competitiveness report. This year a new report  released reports by state the economic effects of proposed cap and trade legislation. http://www.beaconhill.org/