Mike

Is the Commonwealth Positioning Itself to Move up the Ladder of Economic Competitiveness?

September 15, 2023 / Comments Off on Is the Commonwealth Positioning Itself to Move up the Ladder of Economic Competitiveness?

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recently announced improvements to a key economic development program, the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). Among other efficiencies, the Commonwealth has streamlined the application process by replacing the 22-tab Application & Business Plan with a more efficient, 10-section fillable Project Management Proposal post-award application process. Ultimately, the changes will provide a […]

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Labor Day Light Reads 2023

September 1, 2023 / Comments Off on Labor Day Light Reads 2023

As the summer draws to a close, many will be unwinding with trips to their favorite attractions, enjoying quality time with family and friends, and more. For our Present Value post this week, we have created a list of events and interesting reads to help make the most of the long weekend. But first, let’s […]

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Building Climate Resilience Index: An Update on our Methodology

August 18, 2023 / Comments Off on Building Climate Resilience Index: An Update on our Methodology

Continuing our research  in developing a climate resilience index, we have further refined our methodology to gauge nine cities on their sustainability and progress in adopting eco-friendly practices. This index is comprised of 30 metrics across four categories (Environment, Economy, Infrastructure, and Social) and pulls from a wide range of data to evaluate each city’s performance. […]

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Racism: A Cancer in America

August 4, 2023 / Comments Off on Racism: A Cancer in America

Years ago, I remember hearing or possibly reading about racism as a cancer in the United States. I find myself reflecting on my generation’s (Baby Boomer) experience with racism as it now appears that generations of African Americans remember the historical hate crimes that were impactful to their respective generation. As an African American man, […]

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Building Climate Resilience: Developing an Index for Nine U.S. Cities

July 28, 2023 / Comments Off on Building Climate Resilience: Developing an Index for Nine U.S. Cities

As part of our time serving as summer fellows for ESI Center for the Future of Cities, we have started developing a climate resilience index for nine cities across the United States. The research builds upon ESI’s existing database of indices and metrics designed to evaluate and address the ever-changing nature of climate risks and […]

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The U.S. Supreme Court Gutted Affirmative Action. Are We A More Equitable Society? Can We Be?

July 21, 2023 / Comments Off on The U.S. Supreme Court Gutted Affirmative Action. Are We A More Equitable Society? Can We Be?

The United States Supreme Court launched a direct strike against the institutions that most Americans believe are the gateway to a better life. In Students For Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard College, decided 6/29/2023, the Court ruled that race cannot be a factor in college admissions, without regard to the fact that no institution uses […]

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