News & ViewsThe Newsletter of the Economic Development Division Members, click here to read the complete newsletter Not a member? Click here to view a previous newsletter Fall 2009Yikes, There's a Tourist in Town: Guidance for Local Planners Unless directly engaged in making tourism plans or working in a destination community, local planners tend to give little thought to tourism or to tourists in their day-to-day work. However, many communities across the country attract some share of visitors, and planners should be aware of the possible implications and opportunities that may result. The Legacy of Place and Economic Development Once the economic engine of the nation, the Great Lakes region in America's Midwest has been grappling with successive shifts in the global economy for the past 50 years. Recently, the global recession, particularly the collapse of the U.S. automobile industry, has exposed the naked weaknesses of the Great Lakes' economy and its relative inability to adapt to the global marketplace. No American region has been as affected by the challenges of globalization; and — perhaps — no region stands to gain as much from structural economic changes. This article examines the critical role local governments must play in reinventing the Great Lakes as an economically vibrant location for business and entrepreneurism. The authors view the region through the site selection process to help illustrate how communities can proactively attract new activity. Also in this issue: Thoughts From the Chair | ||
