Growing Jobs: Transforming the Way We Approach Economic DevelopmentEach year, U.S. cities and states spend billions of dollars on incentives intended to create jobs. Are the strategies being implemented outdated’ Is there a better way to create jobs’ Rather than focusing on individual aspects of economic development such as entrepreneurship and start-up companies or workforce development, this book provides a comprehensive systems perspective for economic development that identifies how the new model of economic development for America is both a top-down and a bottom-up process that requires effective engagement with the community. The book begins with a broad explanation of why economic development strategy and practices need to change, and then discusses and critiques current practices using the state of Maryland as a case example. Two in-depth case studies at the city level follow, detailing leading practices that support the proposed values-based economic development model. The final section presents a framework that policymakers can use to assess and improve their current strategies and practices along with guidelines for implementing these improvements to make them more efficient, effective, and sustainable. ISBN: 9781440837227, 1440837228
