Category Archives: Economic Development

Certificate of Need: A Bad Idea with Political Staying Power

Posted on January 7, 2015 by matt ohern

Every so often Virginia undergoes a spasm of skepticism regarding the Certificate of Need (CON) law that subjects proposals for hospital expansions and equipment purchases to regulatory approval. The law gives proof to the oft-heard claim that Virginia is “pro business” — state … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development | Comments Off on Certificate of Need: A Bad Idea with Political Staying Power

Learning from Buena Vista’s Golf Course Default

Posted on December 18, 2014 by matt ohern

In 2005, the City of Buena Vista in the Shenandoah Valley issued $9.2 million in bonds to pay for construction of the Vista Links golf course. To obtain financing, the city purchased insurance for $400,000 and pledged the golf course, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development | Comments Off on Learning from Buena Vista’s Golf Course Default

Manufacturing Boom Depends On Affordable, Reliable Electricity

Posted on October 30, 2014 by matt ohern

A year or so ago, few would have predicted the manufacturing expansion we are seeing here in Virginia. After years of seeing jobs and indeed entire manufacturing industries move offshore, we are thrilled to hear of new operations happening right … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Economy | Comments Off on Manufacturing Boom Depends On Affordable, Reliable Electricity

Virginia’s Employment Declines

Posted on April 25, 2014 by matt ohern

Employment in the nation is finally starting to pick up. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 192,000 in March, which is 1.7% higher than a year ago. The Richmond metropolitan area is seeing similar growth. Employment rose 1.5% over the year ending … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Economy | Comments Off on Virginia’s Employment Declines

Suburbia Not Only Not Dying—It's Thriving

Posted on October 30, 2013 by matt ohern

Fortune magazine’s Leigh Gallagher got a large amount of publicity over the summer for her book, The End of the Suburbs: Why the American Dream is Moving. Major newspapers did articles repeating her claims, and she expounded them on various … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic Development, Housing | Comments Off on Suburbia Not Only Not Dying—It's Thriving