18 Things Economic Developers Need to Know This Week

Welcome to this week's issue of What Economic Developers Need to Know This Week, where we explore the evolving dynamics of our economy. 

This week we have 18 tools, stories, graphics, charts, and videos that I think you'll find informative, useful, inspiring, and perhaps even humorous. Some are economic development related directly, and some only indirectly. 🤔

If you're wondering what to do with the info in this newsletter, send something to your board members. It will make you look good!

0) The difference between raw land or a vacant building and a development ready site is just information. Schedule a demo of Sitehunt and let Dane show you how to identify more sites in your community.

1) Michigan’s Community Economic Development Association is launching a new training program focused on rural real estate development. It’s designed to teach budding developers how to create affordable housing in small towns. Attendees should bring an idea or project to work on.

2) The index that keeps track of how much it costs companies to pay their workers in the US — the Employment Cost Index — has risen faster than most experts expected it:

3) There’s a noticeable difference in how the population is growing in metropolitan (big cities and their surrounding areas) and non-metropolitan (smaller towns and rural areas) regions.

4) The U.S. states losing & gaining population:

Population trends in the U.S. are starting to stabilize after the pandemic, yet California, Illinois, and New York continue to see their numbers drop, a pattern that began before COVID-19. High living costs and shifting immigration patterns are contributing factors, with more people choosing the Sun Belt states or smaller cities.