LPI RELEASES NATIONAL NEW ECONOMY GROWTH STRATEGIES REPORT

Download:

• Full Report
• Summary Report 

In these dark economic times, communities across the U.S. are asking this fundamental question: "What do we need to do to survive--and, ideally, prosper--in the New Economy?"

The Land Policy Institute addresses these issues with the release of a national full report titled "Chasing the Past or Investing in Our Future: Placemaking for Prosperity in the New Economy."

The report provides information on Old versus New Economy growth strategies based on a national county-level economic analysis to identify the drivers of growth in income, population and employment. The analysis is based on the following factors:

• Demographic (i.e., 25- to 34-year-olds, the 65 and over, and foreign born populations) 
• Housing market 
• Socio-economic 
• Education and knowledge 
• Role of government
• Gray infrastructure 
• Green infrastructure (i.e., land and water amenities) 
• Economic structure and legacy
• Regional differences
• Other New Economy factors (i.e., innovation, patents, diversity, etc.)

The report offers insights as to the impact these drivers of growth have on metro and non-metro communities and delivers policy and strategy recommendations to increase prosperity in these communities.

Michigan lags far behind most other states in attracting and retaining young workers, retirees and well-educated immigrants, which MSU researchers say is critical to restoring Michigan's prosperity in the new knowledge-based economy.

Land policy is intimately connected to prosperity in the New Economy, says Dr. Soji Adelaja, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy and Director of LPI, as money follows populations who seek a higher quality of life. According to the report, young "knowledge workers" and others who drive today's economy first want vibrant places to live. Communities must make themselves attractive by enhancing green infrastructure assets, redeveloping downtowns and connecting the economies of rural and urban neighbors.

"Every place doesn't have everything," Adelaja adds. "But virtually every place has something that can appeal to certain segments of the population and create prosperity for communities."

"The Chasing the Past - Full Report" is available for download, along with the "Chasing the Past - Summary Report."