Initial impression of Midwestern USA conditions

by YankeeJim | August 21, 2011 at 01:25 pm

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If you look around a Midwestern Capital City like Columbus Ohio, there are few signs of economic failure. In fact, it appears pretty prosperous in the city. The rural communities are a different matter as are the former “industrial” cities where manufacturing industry disappeared and has not returned nor has there been any replacement for job losses.

It is a mixed bag. People are concerned about their future. There appear to be many young people, including fresh out college graduates who have no prospects for applying their newly acquired education and skills.

Headlines declare that home real estate has dropped over 6.5% in value the past year. That surely isn’t good.

Cities have their plans

Columbus Ohio has a diversified economy and they have a plan.

“ECONOMIC STRATEGY

COLUMBUS2020!
AN UNPRECEDENTED STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Columbus Region is guided by Columbus2020!, an aggressive economic development strategy.

Columbus2020! is a bold, new, regional public-private partnership that will leverage Central Ohio´s research and academic institutions, diverse industries to position the State Capital to become the fastest growing economy in the country and one of the nation´s leaders in economic development.

The initiative will grow our economy by ensuring that our existing companies are growing and thriving, that the world´s leading companies are attracted to the region, and that innovations are cultivated and commercialized.

Columbus 2020! will support the region´s distinctive open, young, and diverse culture as a key competitive advantage, ensuring that Columbus is the place where talented people want to live, work and play.

Our goals:

Add 150,000 net new jobs by 2020

Increase personal per capita income 30%

Add eight billion dollars of capital investment

Be recognized as a national leader in economic development

The plan:

Columbus2020! is focused on four core pillars of economic development.

Retain and expand the companies and industries that call Central Ohio home today

Attract major employers to establish operations in Central Ohio

Create more commercial enterprises by leveraging the region's research assets and entrepreneurs

Improve the civic infrastructure and political conditions that enhance the economic development environment”