The Editor’s Blog
Economic development creates opportunities to grow state, local and metro areas, which are essential for economic growth, improved quality of life and community development. The Editor’s Blog articles below.
Rethinking The Global Supply Chain
The COVID-19 pandemic is breaking the back of supply chains around the world.
Remember The Heroes
We'll never forget the courage of the healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the battle against COVID-19.
“Nobody Saw This Coming”
At his coronavirus briefings, Trump marvels at the global reach of the pandemic and then adds: “Nobody saw this coming.” Actually, a lot of people did.
Transformers
Hyper-fast 5G cellular service will require transmitters disguised as mailboxes under small-scale cell towers that double as streetlights.
Climate Consultants
A Silicon Valley startup tells economic developers it can make 50-year predictions of the impact of climate change on available sites.
Makeover In Philly
A series of megaprojects promises to transform the City of Brotherly Love.
Doobie Candy
The legal cannabis industry is selling dangerous high-potency infused edible products that will need to be regulated.
The Amazon Derby
Amazon narrows its HQ2 site selection to 20 regions containing about a third of the population of the U.S.
e-Estonia
A tiny Baltic nation of 1.3 million people has created the world's first truly digital state.
Final Jeopardy
As artificial intelligence rapidly approaches what scientists call "technical singularity," the implications for humanity are beginning to come into focus.
Those Days Are Over
There will be zero tolerance now for sexual harassment in the workplace, studio, or halls of Congress. And we ask: Should Sen. Al Franken resign?
Sky Box
As Big Box retail outlets start to dwindle, warehouses are proliferating—and not all of them are horizontal.
Amazonia, USA
The RFPs are in and we all can't wait for the climax of the runaway hit economic development reality show: HQ2, The Survivor.
Great Leap Forward
China is methodically preparing for global dominance of advanced technologies.
The Drone Age
Upstate NY surges into the lead in a national effort to commercialize the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in U.S. airspace.
Duel in the Sky
By slapping a hefty tariff on Bombardier, the U.S. fires the opening salvo of what may become a trade war with Canada and the U.K.
Tradition vs. Tradition
The U.S. Interior Department recommends adjusting the boundaries and/or use of 10 national monuments.
Rebuild or Relocate?
Climate change should be factored into the recovery from Hurricane Irma's devastation of Caribbean islands.
The Big Prize
Amazon launches a public bidding war for its second corporate headquarters in North America.
Game Winner
Canton, OH is upgrading its football legacy with an ambitious mixed-use development built around the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Supply Chain Reaction
As the renegotiation of NAFTA begins, the hemispheric supply chain may be the biggest obstacle to major revisions.
Ready or Not
Federal and state authorities are beginning to lay down the rules of the road for self-driving vehicles.
Cleared for Takeoff?
Cities across the nation are debating whether to convert aging municipal airports into prime sites for development.
Missing Link
After a decade-long delay, the nation's most-important infrastructure project—the Gateway Hudson River rail tunnel—finally may be getting underway.
Offshoring
The U.S. offshore wind energy sector appears to be ready for prime time, and the potential is enormous.
Safe Deposit Boxes
The survival of the human race may depend on a couple of man-made vaults, one deep within the granite below Finland and the other buried in Norway's permafrost.
Brexit Fashion Statement
The economic impact of the UK's decision to leave the European Union is coming into focus, with down arrows proliferating in key indicators.
Drug Kingpins
It's time to place the blame for the nation's opioid epidemic squarely where it belongs, in Washington DC.
Copycats
The Supreme Court says patents don't cover products that are purchased and resold.
Geek Squad
A 22-year-old programmer stops a global cyber attack by purchasing an unregistered domain name for $10.69.
Category 5 Backlash
Gov. Rick Scott's plan to hugely expand spending on state economic development programs ends up getting them cut to the bone.
Future of Free Trade Debated at LiveXchange 2017
A spirited panel discussion at BF's 13th annual event analyzed the impact of Brexit and NAFTA negotiations.
Killing O’Reilly
21st Century Fox finally enforces a fair and balanced workplace policy.
Sin City Spectacular
Clark County, NV will pay $750 million to help build a new stadium in Las Vegas for the NFL's Raiders franchise.
Bearing of the Green
A new study reignites the never-ending debate on the value of economic development incentives.
Six Years Later
It's going to cost $190 billion and take three decades to clean up the mess at Fukushima.
Drivers Not Wanted
With motor vehicle fatalities soaring, the auto giants are racing to get self-driving cars on the road.