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

A healthcare worker with tablet talking to pregnant woman indoors at home.

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: A Guide for Implementation

Population growth inter connected people of the world - illustration render

Introduction There are many places in the American heartland that are ready for investment to translate local expertise, found in existing small and medium sized firms and their skilled workforce, academic research, and nascent stage entrepreneurial companies, into great economic opportunity. And the appropriate role of regional policy evolves as the number of firms increases,… Continue reading Place-Based Economic Development: A Guide for Implementation

Place-Based Economic Development Toolkit: Greenwood Mississippi

the mississippi river flows southward over st. anthony falls, and by the minneapolis skyline, on its way to the gulf of mexico.

Incorporated in 1844, Greenwood thrived as a bustling cotton marketplace throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The town served as a pivotal hub for cotton distribution, establishing crucial connections to major cities like New Orleans, Memphis, and St. Louis. However, as cotton production evolved with mechanization in the mid-20th century, Greenwood’s economic fortunes took a… Continue reading Place-Based Economic Development Toolkit: Greenwood Mississippi