Economic Development
Obama acknowledges impact of government job losses
President Obama acknowledged the impact government job losses have had on the economy, and on those employees' lives, during a televised town hall meeting last week....
Video: Report says transit not connecting to jobs
Nearly 70 percent of city residents have access to transit service of some kind where they live, but they can only reach about 30 percent of jobs in their area via transit, according to a new report from the Brookings Institution....
Report: States not tracking transportation spending
Only 13 states have goals, performance measures and data needed to show whether their surface transportation systems are advancing economic growth and other key objectives, according to a report from the Pew Center on the States and the Rockefeller Foundation....
Mayors' survey: Cities need transportation infrastructure investment
Given the nation's current economic problems, federal transportation priorities should be targeted to metropolitan areas, home to two-thirds of U.S. residents, according to a survey of mayors of 176 cities conducted by the United States Conference of Mayors....
River revival
Cooperative effort in Columbus, Ohio, turns riverside brownfields into downtown park....
Kansas reforms workers' comp law
Kansas, one of nine states to first adopt workers' compensation laws in 1911, has reformed its law to better protect businesses from false claims....
Wisconsin Public Finance Authority wants to go nationwide
The Wisconsin Public Finance Authority (PFA), which was formed last year to issue tax-exempt conduit bonds for public and private entities, is promoting its services nationwide....
In our Century
Cities develop public relations efforts to inform residents about municipal activities and improve customer service...
California seeks federal boost for high-speed rail
By Jennifer Grzeskowiak
In early April, California applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the entire $2.4 billion that Florida returned in March to use for a proposed high-speed rail line from San Francisco to Los Angeles....
Locals rally to defend CDBG funding
By Ed Brock (edward.brock@penton.com)
Supporting jobs is not wasteful, officials say....
High-speed rail struggles to build steam
By Jennifer Grzeskowiak
Some state leaders are overturning plans for rail lines while others remain committed....
Report: Economic development aided by CDBG funding
The federal Community Development Block Grant program encourages economic development, according to a preliminary report released Wednesday by a group of local government associations....
Report: Green jobs increase as ARRA funding ends
The number of stimulus-funded green jobs topped 51,700 in the sixth and final quarter of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to a report released Thursday by Council of State Governments....
Infrastructure, efficiency top subjects in mayors' addresses
Government efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure were among the major topics addressed in 31 "State of the City" speeches analyzed by the National League of Cities....
Viewpoint: Readers say infrastructure work could create jobs
American City & County readers sound off on President Obama's State of the Union suggestions for stimulating the economy....
Wisconsin passes more economic stimulus laws
Wisconsin has approved new tax deductions for small businesses that create jobs and has changed the state's Department of Commerce into the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation....
Report: More jobs means more traffic
By Ed Brock (edward.brock@penton.com)
Metro areas' plans include increasing road capacity and public transit....
In our century
Cities do what they can to put residents to work in the early days of the Great Depression....
Mayors release 'Metro Agenda'
Job creation is the central focus of the "Metro Agenda" released Wednesday by the U.S. Conference of Mayors....
Government for the people
By Ed Brock (edward.brock@penton.com)
Programs tap neighborhood groups to engage residents....
Michigan law clears the state's economy for take off
The sky is the limit for a new law in Michigan that aims to stimulate economic development around airports and other transportation hubs. ...
San Diego restricts "big box" stores despite mayor's veto
San Diego has placed extra restrictions on the construction of new "big box" superstores in the city, despite a veto by the mayor. ...
EPA launches Green Power Community Challenge
By Annie Gentile
Yearlong initiative seeks to expand alternative energy use....
Report: Brownfield redevelopment leads to more jobs, increased tax revenue
"Recycling America's Land: A National Report on Brownfields Redevelopment (1993-2010)" found that brownfield projects created around 161,880 jobs, and generated $309 million in tax revenue for 50 cities since 1993....
Officials: Lighting ordinances are not bad for business
By Anne Martin
Advocates for ordinances that limit outdoor lighting insist such ordinances can enhance a community's appeal for businesses in the long run....















