1 Underperforming Regions Robert D. Yaro President, Regional Plan Association Co-Chair, America 2050 America 2050 National Leadership Meeting October 19, 2009 U.S. Library of Congress Washington, D.C.

2 Underperforming Regions

3 Defining Underperforming Regions Criteria: 1) Population change from ) Employment change from ) Wage change 1970 – ) Average wages in 2006 Counties in the bottom third in at least three categories were considered underperforming. Counties

4 Defining Underperforming Regions

5 Criteria: 1) Population change from ) Employment change from ) Per-Capita Income change 1980 – ) Per-Capita Income in 2007 Counties in the bottom third in at least three categories were considered underperforming. Cities

6 Defining Underperforming Regions

7 Underperforming Cities: Great Lakes

8 Underperforming Cities: Northeast

At Least 15 Percent of Workforce in Manufacturing

10 At Least 15 Percent of Workforce in Manufacturing 2006

11 European Precedents for Underperforming Regions Agriculture: Common Agricultural Policy Economic Development: EU Structural Fund Transportation: Trans-European Network

12 Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions 1.Building on Economic Foundation and Attracting Skilled People 2.Place Matters 3.Leadership and Partnerships 4.Infrastructure Source: Time Magazine

13 Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions 1.Building on Economic Foundation and Attracting Skilled People Population Growth Skilled Workers Education Immigration Networks

14 Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions 2. Place Matters Self Image Existing Strengths Quality of Life Urban Revitalization

15 Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions 3. Leadership and Partnerships Federal Role Regional Role Collaboration Planning Sustained Commitment

16 Revitalizing Former Industrial Regions 4. Infrastructure Brownfields Transportation Smart Growth

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