Northeast Municipal Economic Development. A National League of Cities Study of Municipal Economic Development Needs, Capacities and Perceptions in the Northeast

摘要

Findings are reported from a National League of Cities survey of the organizational, programmatic, and budgetary capacities and perceptions regarding economic development of 40 Northeast municipal governments. Cities and towns in eight of the nine Northeast States completed the survey. A narrative description of the findings is provided, including comparisons with national findings, followed by detailed information from selected survey questions. Most responding cities have economic development departments with one or two staff members -- slighty fewer than the national average. However, they are much more likely to have hybrids of quasi - public economic development authorities, corporations, or councils, so that economic development is more institutionalized than in many parts of the country. Generally, Northeastern cities have made greater progress toward formally adopting economic development plans and strategies and implementing programs than have cities in other regions. Unlike the rest of the country, Northeastern cities believe property taxes, infrastructure maintenance, and bus and subway service are major facilitators of economic development, reflecting their concern about declining population, business, tax base, and employment. They are also stronger proponents of increased Federal aid for city economic development than are cities in other regions. The survey questionnaire is also provided.