Why Pittsburgh Is Booming

Why Pittsburgh is booming

We have written frequently (most recently here and here) about Pittsburgh as Exhibit A for how so-called Rust Belt regions can return to prosperity. The basic recipe: make the transition from a factory-driven to a knowledge-driven economy largely by retaining…

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A roadmap for supporting higher education

We have long argued that the state needs to reverse recent trends of under-investing in colleges, universities and community colleges. Michigan spent decades building a world-class systems of higher education.  The system is arguably the most import asset the state…

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U of M’s value

A thought experiment: Assume the University of Michigan/Ann Arbor decides – as MSU did with its medical school – to take offers to relocate all or part of its operations. But not just someplace else in Michigan, any place on…

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Texas Research Universities Initiative

Little noticed in yesterday's election was the adoption, by a 55%-45% margin, of a $500 million fund to create more Tier One  research universities in Texas. It was supported by both parties -  including a very conservative  Governor. Their goal…

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