ED Profession
Has State and Local Economic Development Lost its Ability to Innovate? Can We Practice what We Preach?
Written on February 3, 2018 at 5:48 pm, by The Economic Development Curmudgeon
We are at a pivotal point in our history that compels a thoughtful assessment of ED strategies (innovation in particular) and reevaluation of America as an actor in global politics and soon-to-be second-largest economy. The post-WWII Age has exhausted itself. Transition into a new world era has major implications for how we conduct state and local economic development. “Can We Talk?” The Journal expands its mission in March to include a FREE online introduction to the History of American State and Local ED.
Use Three Wave History at Your Peril: Rediscovering Past American State and Local Economic Development
Written on September 18, 2017 at 2:31 pm, by The Economic Development Curmudgeon
American state & local economic development enjoys a long and meaningful history yet is largely unknown to economic developers. Why? Our professional past has been collapsed into vaporous and ideological-laden “Three Waves”. Three Wave history polarizes and misinforms us about our three hundred year heritage/professional experience.
Isn’t it time we discover who we are as a profession?
The Four Eras of American state & local ED are an excellent start to appreciating the value of our professional history.
Breaking Up [Paradigms] is so Hard-to-Do
Written on January 24, 2017 at 4:49 pm, by The Economic Development Curmudgeon
President Trump’s challenge compels us to confront the Forgotten People problem swept under the rug by economic developers current paradigms: innovation, knowledge-based economics, university-led economic development, and “gazelle” clusters and occupations. The January article redefines Forgotten People, presents an alternative way to “do” economic development at the state and local level and offers four thought-provoking programs that involve nothing less than a new approach to economic and community development–a community-based, community rebuilding, Back to the New Deal, service sector-focused skills-development employment.
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About the Editor
Ron Coan
PH D.
Ron is the Editor for the Journal of Applied Research in Economic Development (C2ER). He is also currently a Senior Fellow, Center For Regional Economic Competitiveness and former Adjunct at Johns Hopkins, Carey School of Business, The Edward St John Real Estate Program teaching graduate courses in Economic Development.