Growing Jobs: Transforming the Way We Approach Economic Development

by Thomas C. Tuttle, Jean-Claude Lauzon (Foreword by)

Overview

This compelling book provides concrete examples and practical guidelines for addressing the most serious economic challenge facing the United States and every community in the nation: growing good jobs and enabling people to function effectively in these occupations.

Each year, U.S. cities and states spend billions of dollars on incentives intended to create jobs. Are the strategies being implemented outdated? Is there a better way to create jobs? Rather than focusing on individual aspects of economic development such as entrepreneurship and start-up companies or workforce development, this book provides a comprehensive systems perspective for economic development that identifies how the new model of economic development for America is both a top-down and a bottom-up process that requires effective engagement with the community.

The book begins with a broad explanation of why economic development strategy and practices need to change, and then discusses and critiques current practices using the state of Maryland as a case example. Two in-depth case studies at the city level follow, detailing leading practices that support the proposed values-based economic development model. The final section presents a framework that policymakers can use to assess and improve their current strategies and practices along with guidelines for implementing these improvements to make them more efficient, effective, and sustainable.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440837227
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/27/2016
Series:	Non-Series
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Thomas C. Tuttle, PhD, is president of Tuttle Group International, a strategic management consulting organization located in Annapolis, MD.

Table of Contents

Foreword Jean-Claude Lauzon xi

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xxi

Chapter 1 The Jobs and Employment Challenge 1

Chapter 2 What Type of Economy Do We Want to Create? 13

Chapter 3 What Can We Learn from the Past? 29

Chapter 4 Overview of Current State-Level Economic Development Strategies 41

Chapter 5 Austin, Texas: The Human Capital 59

Chapter 6 Dubuque, Iowa: Masterpiece on the Mississippi 101

Chapter 7 A New Framework for Local Community and Economic Development 147

Chapter 8 A New Framework for State Community and Economic Development 169

Chapter 9 Enabling the Transformation: What It Will Take 183

Notes 189

Selected Bibliography 201

Index 203

What People are Saying About This

Dr. David V. Gibson

"Thomas Tuttle makes compelling arguments for why a transformation is required worldwide concerning existing economic development practices. There are not enough jobs of any kind for those seeking employment, and there is a growing mismatch between new job skill requirements and the qualifications of those seeking employment. In Growing Jobs, Tuttle provides compelling and useful examples of ways to consider and implement creative and innovative economic development frameworks."

William E. Kirwan

"Creating quality jobs and filling them with a qualified workforce has become the challenge of our time because traditional strategies to promote economic growth have proven to be a zero sum game at best. In this enlightening book, Tom Tuttle offers an engaging primer on the newest and best thinking for job creation at both the local and state levels. It is a ‘must- read' for policy makers, economic development professionals, and all who care about America's economic future."

Michael Van Milligen

"Thomas Tuttle has captured how local elected officials are combining strategic and innovative decision making with professional local government management and dynamic not-for-profit partners for policy implementation. This implementation is disrupting and improving the status quo, leading to a more hopeful, resilient, and equitable future for communities and the businesses and individuals that call them home. Robust community engagement ensures that the personal values of citizens are aligned with the economic development strategies, accelerating the rate of growth and creating an environment that fosters investment in financial and human capital."

Charles A. Stek

"Growing Jobs is a ‘must-read' for local leaders across the country seeking to create good jobs and sustainable communities. Dr. Tuttle, a widely acclaimed expert on quality and productivity, draws upon decades of experience working with business, education, and government leaders and case studies of Austin, Texas, and Dubuque, Iowa, in this how-to guide demonstrating that community values and engagement, along with education and business retention, are key strategies for successful, long-term, and sustainable economic development."

J. Mac Holladay

"It is refreshing to see someone work so hard to create a holistic view of what community and economic development is all about. Never has it been more important to realize that successful economic development is non-partisan and requires a powerful public-private partnership. Above all, what Dr. Tuttle has done is to prove once again that this work is complicated and that it is a ‘team sport.'"

Wayne A. Mills

"Tom Tuttle's new book is a thought-provoking series of examples and findings on some of the most successful community and economic development initiatives from different regions of the country. It highlights the key ingredients of success by showcasing these ‘best in class' examples. The keys include leadership, vision, best management practices, and a set of core community values that tend to drive the transformation to a highly effective system for community building and job growth."

Rick Smyre

"Tom Tuttle has opened the door to the next evolution of local economic development based on ‘comprehensive community transformation.' His ability to identify the ‘secret sauce' of building alliances, deep collaboration, and a shift to entrepreneurial ecosystems reflects his creative insight into a different kind of future that is emerging."

Jim Damicis

"In Growing Jobs: Transforming the Way We Approach Economic Development, Thomas Tuttle accurately assesses how traditional economic development approaches are no longer working. Tuttle's work will help economic development practitioners in developing plans and practices that leverage the significance of ‘place' and ‘talent' in driving local and regional economies."

Aris Melissaratos

"Tom Tuttle approaches the topic of job creation and economic development from the experience that comes from many decades as a professor, consultant, student and ‘Guru' of productivity and quality improvement. His optimal mix of intellectual and practical real-world observations brings together, in this book, a very realistic account of the transformation of economic development and job creation approaches to succeed in today's global competition. The recommendations are understandable, implementable, and sustainable and should yield positive results for both the economic and social progress of municipalities, states, regions, and nations."

Robert L. Hannon

"Growing good jobs that satisfy community aspirations is the fundamental challenge facing local and state government leadership. Growing Jobs provides a national perspective on economic development practices with an in-depth look at two success stories—Austin, Texas, and Dubuque, Iowa. Growing Jobs provides transformational context and a values-driven pathway to individual and community innovation and productivity."