Executive Summary Talent is the driving force behind economic development. But like many other economic factors, it is not evenly distributed, with significant concentrations in coastal superstar cities and tech hubs. Even before the explosion of remote work in the wake of the COVID pandemic, there were indications that talent was beginning to disperse as… Continue reading Heartland of Talent 2025
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Most Dynamic Metropolitans 2024
Executive Summary The 2024 Most Dynamic Metropolitans report evaluates 380 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) across the United States, ranking them on indicators such as employment, average annual pay, real GDP growth, per capita income, and measures of entrepreneurial activity. These metrics provide insights into the diverse economic trajectories of U.S. regions, enabling policymakers and stakeholders… Continue reading Most Dynamic Metropolitans 2024
Engineers, Computer Scientists And Data Scientists As Drivers Of Economic Growth
Acknowledgements Special thanks to Sandra Eksioglu, Larry Esch, Kevin Hall, Bryan Hill, Tina Paul and Kim Needy for providing data and guidance on information for the University of Arkansas -Fayetteville College of Engineering. Executive Summary It is not surprising to acknowledge that investing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is important to economic growth,… Continue reading Engineers, Computer Scientists And Data Scientists As Drivers Of Economic Growth
Revitalizing Innovation: Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States
Heartland Forward partnered with the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, Penn State University Evidence-to-Impact Collaboration with support from JPMorganChase for a research project on models of equitable entrepreneurship across the United States. The research focuses on two key goals: advancing equity in entrepreneurship through data-driven models for ecosystem builders, policymakers, investors, and educators and spotlighting successful programs… Continue reading Revitalizing Innovation: Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States
Most Dynamic Micropolitans 2024
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank William Trolinger for his lead in automating the acquisition and analysis of the data used in this report and Madeline Boss for her data-visualization work. We would also like to thank for sharing their expertise and perspectives with us: Executive Summary The 2024 Most Dynamic Micropolitans report explores… Continue reading Most Dynamic Micropolitans 2024
Artificial Intelligence Presents New Opportunities For Heartland States
Heartland-based firms are finding a friend in AI – one that helps them introduce advances more on pace with the nation’s coastal tech centers. Further, being able to rapidly absorb knowledge has cut deeply into the insider advantages of physical proximity. Heartland tech businesses can now access noncodified, tacit information so quickly that there’s little… Continue reading Artificial Intelligence Presents New Opportunities For Heartland States
The Economic Case For Investing in Maternal Health
Acknowledgements This study was made possible, in part, by a grant from Ingeborg. We are grateful for its support. The views expressed in this report are solely those of Heartland Forward. Heartland Forward also wants to express their gratitude for the policy advice and insights offered by Cara Osborne, MSN, CNM, ScD. Executive Summary ES… Continue reading The Economic Case For Investing in Maternal Health
Most Dynamic Metros 2023
Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank William Trolinger for his assistance in automating the acquisition and preparation of the data used in this report and Ross Owyoung for editing the document. Executive Summary Metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), or metros, are groups of counties that contain and surround a central city having a population of… Continue reading Most Dynamic Metros 2023
Heartland Forward Releases Entrepreneurial Policy Recommendations
English Resources As part of a grant with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, we have worked with entrepreneurs in the heartland to better understand the policy barriers they faced when starting and scaling their businesses. As part of these efforts, we hosted short conversations with small groups of entrepreneurs, midsize city mayors, gubernatorial offices and… Continue reading Heartland Forward Releases Entrepreneurial Policy Recommendations
Place-based Economic Development Toolkit
Ross DeVol, President and CEO I have spent much of my career advocating for the subject of this research. The good news is that the federal government is finally responding in a way to assist communities. Federal funding agencies such as National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and many other federal agencies’ position… Continue reading Place-based Economic Development Toolkit