Economic Development

In April 2006 CLOSUP hosted "Where Do We Go From Here? An Agenda-Setting Conference for the Economic Issues Facing Michigan." The conference objectives were to: Determine whether it is possible to develop a far-reaching, practical and broadly acceptable agenda to address our state's economic troubles. Identify the core components of such an agenda. Nourish the overall debate around the policy options facing our...

Note: This project was active at CLOSUP from 2004 to 2007, though the resulting book remains available. The information below is for archival purposes. Over the past two decades, Michigan has witnessed what can only be considered a massive restructuring of its economic, social, natural, fiscal, and public policy environments. Relative to other sectors, reliance on automotive and other heavy manufacturing has declined substantially, replaced by impressive growth in the high tech and service sectors. Employment in agriculture has declined but productivity in that sector has increased....

Note: This project was active at CLOSUP from 2001 to 2006. The information below is for archival purposes. As part of a larger project on regional governance, CLOSUP conducted a web-based survey in 2002 and 2003 of cities' growth management policies and practices across the state of California. All California cities were asked to participate in the survey, which examined not only the types of growth management tools in use, but also the history of the policies and their implementation, local political support or resistance to development, mechanisms for modification of the policies,...

The Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) is unique in the nation as the only ongoing survey of all general purpose local governments across an entire state. Its mission is to inform and improve policymaking with data not available from any other source, by surveying the state’s local...