Hickory Metro's Economy and the 10 Best MSAs in the U.S.

This article is a continuation of the series of articles including, Hickory vs the 10 worst MSAs in the U.S., Hickory Metro's Economy versus similar U.S. MSAs and Hickory Metro's Economy versus North Carolina MSAs. Here, I compare all of the Metropolitan Statistical Areas that are the 10 best in the Milken Institute rankings. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton MSA would rank as the eighth largest MSA in this analysis.

The MSA populations in this analysis range from a high end of the nation's 15th largest market (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington) 3,344,813 to a low end of the nation's 182nd largest market (Olympia, Washington) with a population of 238,555. Population growth, since 2000 shows that Raleigh, North Carolina was the biggest gainer in this group at 36.60%, while Seattle, Washington was the lowest, adding a respectable 9.89% more to its population. Three of the cities in this list grew by more than 30% and another two were over the 20% mark. What is obvious from this list is that people will seek out cities that have excellent economic opportunities and the study of the bottom 10 Milken cities shows that the highest growth rate city in that group (Holland, Michigan at 8.77%) grew at a rate more than 1% lower than the lowest rate of the top 10 cities (Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Washington at 9.89%).

"The Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best Performing Cities Index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary, and technology growth. The full report can be downloaded here."


15 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA MSA Milken rank - 8 Unemp = 8.8% Pop. 3,344,813
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 109.11 Rank: 19
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 114.78 Rank: 16
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 137.66 Rank: 8
Population Growth since 2000 - +9.89%
Largest City – Seattle - As of April 1, 2009, the city had a municipal population of 602,000

Higher Education
Seattle is home to one of the United States' most respected public research universities, the University of Washington, as well as its professional and continuing Education unit, University of Washington Educational Outreach. A study by Newsweek International in 2006 cited UW as the twenty-second best university in the world. Seattle also has a number of smaller private universities including Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University, both founded by religious groups; universities aimed at the working adult, like City University and Antioch University; and a number of arts colleges, such as Cornish College of the Arts and The Art Institute of Seattle. In 2001, Time magazine selected Seattle Central Community College as community college of the year, stating the school "pushes diverse students to work together in small teams"

Tacoma's institutions of higher learning include the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma Community College, Bates Technical College, The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus, Northwest Baptist Seminary, and University of Washington Tacoma. Pacific Lutheran University is located in Parkland, just south of the city; nearby Lakewood is the home of Clover Park Technical College and Pierce College. Bellevue is home to Bellevue College (BC) and City University.

Economy and Employers -
Six companies on the 2008 Fortune 500 list of the United States' largest companies, based on total revenue, are headquartered in Seattle: financial services company Washington Mutual (#97), Internet retailer Amazon.com (#171), coffee chain Starbucks (#277), department store Nordstrom (#299), insurance company Safeco Corporation (#388), and global logistics firm Expeditors International (#458). However, in April 2008, the sale of Safeco to Liberty Mutual was announced and in September 2008 Washington Mutual was seized by the FDIC and was sold to JPMorgan Chase. Other Fortune 500 companies popularly associated with Seattle are based in nearby Puget Sound cities. Warehouse club chain Costco Wholesale Corp. (#29), the largest company in Washington, is based in Issaquah. Microsoft (#44) and Nintendo of America are located in Redmond. Weyerhaeuser, the forest products company (#147), is based in Federal Way. Finally, Bellevue is home to truck manufacturer PACCAR (#169) and to international mobile telephony giant T-Mobile's U.S. subsidiary T-Mobile USA.

Prior to moving its headquarters to Chicago, aerospace manufacturer Boeing (#27) was the largest company based in Seattle. Its largest division is still headquartered in nearby Renton, and the company has large aircraft manufacturing plants in Everett and Renton, so it remains the largest private employer in the Seattle metropolitan area. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced a desire to spark a new economic boom driven by the biotechnology industry in 2006. Major redevelopment of the South Lake Union neighborhood is underway in an effort to attract new and established biotech companies to the city, joining biotech companies Corixa (acquired by GlaxoSmithKline), Immunex (now part of Amgen), Trubion, and ZymoGenetics. Vulcan Inc., the holding company of billionaire Paul Allen, is behind most of the development projects in the region. While some see the new development as an economic boon, others have criticized Nickels and the Seattle City Council for pandering to Allen's interests at taxpayers' expense. Also in 2006, Expansion Magazine ranked Seattle among the top 10 metropolitan areas in the nation for climates favorable to business expansion. In 2005, Forbes ranked Seattle as the most expensive American city for buying a house based on the local income levels. Alaska Airlines, operating a hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, maintains headquarters in the city of SeaTac, next to the airport.

Tacoma is the home of several international companies, such as Russell Investments and Labor Ready, Inc.(now named True Blue Inc.) U.S. Oil and Refining operates an oil refinery on the tide flats in the Port of Tacoma. Built in Tacoma in 1952, it currently refines 39,000 barrels of petroleum per day.

Public Transportation - Sound Transit, trains, buses, lightrail in Puget Sound area... Community Transit, buses in Snohomish County... King County Metro, buses in King County... Pierce Transit, buses in Pierce County


36 Austin-Round Rock, TX MSA Milken rank -4 Unemp = 6.6% Pop. 1,652,602
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 108.92 Rank: 21
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 100.16 Rank: 105
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 106.28 Rank: 52
Population Growth since 2000 - +32.23%
Largest City – Austin - According to the 2009 U.S. Census estimate, Austin had a population of 757,688

Higher Education
Austin is home to The University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest public universities in the country and the flagship institution of The University of Texas System. The university has numerous programs ranking in the top 10 in the nation including the College of Pharmacy, McComb's School of Business, the school of Architecture, the school of Engineering, as well as its Computer Science Program. In addition to these renowned programs the University of Texas is also known for its highly regarded honors programs such as the Plan II Honors Program, Deans Scholars, and the Business Honors Program. Other institutions of higher learning include Austin Community College, Concordia University, Huston-Tillotson University, St. Edward's University, the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, the Acton School of Business, Austin Graduate School of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and a branch of Park University.

Economy and Employers -
Austin is considered to be a major center for high technology. Thousands of graduates each year from the engineering and computer science programs at The University of Texas at Austin provide a steady source of employees that help to fuel Austin's technology and defense industry sectors. The metro Austin area has much lower housing costs than Silicon Valley, but much higher housing costs than many parts of rural Texas. As a result of the high concentration of high-tech companies in the region, Austin was strongly affected by the dot-com boom in the late 1990s and subsequent bust. Austin's largest employers include the Austin Independent School District, the City of Austin, Dell, the United States Federal Government, Freescale Semiconductor (spun off from Motorola in 2004), IBM, St. David's Healthcare Partnership, Seton Healthcare Network, the State of Texas, Texas State University-San Marcos, and the University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas. Other high-tech companies with operations in Austin include 3M Company, Apple Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Google, AMD, Applied Materials, Cirrus Logic, Cisco, eBay/PayPal, Hoover's, Inc., Intel, National Instruments, Samsung, Silicon Laboratories, Sun Microsystems and United Devices. The proliferation of technology companies has led to the region's nickname, "the Silicon Hills," and spurred development that greatly expanded the city. The concentration of high-tech companies has led the former American Airlines flight between Austin and San Jose, California to be dubbed the "nerd bird." This route will now be operated by Alaska Airlines effective September 2, 2009.
Southward view of downtown Austin from The Capitol Grounds on 11th Street.

Austin is also emerging as a hub for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. About 85 companies from this industry are based in Austin. The city was ranked by the Milken Institute as the #12 biotech and life science center in the United States.

It is also home to advertising agencies including Omnicom owned GSD&M Idea City and LatinWorks, as well as Dell’s agency of record, WPP Group owned Enfatico.

Whole Foods Market is a grocery store that specializes in organic, local, and natural foods and other goods. It was founded and based in Austin. As of August 25, 2008, Whole Foods has 271 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

In addition to global companies, Austin features a strong network of independent, locally-owned firms and organizations, such as the Austin Independent Business Alliance. The success of these businesses reflects the high level of commitment by the citizens of Austin to preserving the unique spirit of the city and has been tied to the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign.

Public Transportation
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) provides public transportation to the city, primarily by bus. Capital Metro is planning to change some routes to "Rapid Lines". The lines will feature 60 ft (18 m) long, train-like high-tech buses. This addition is going to be implemented to help reduce congestion. Capital Metro is also testing a commuter rail system known as Capital MetroRail that was scheduled to open in March 2009. The system was built on existing freight rail lines and will serve downtown Austin, East Austin, North Central Austin, Northwest Austin, and Leander in its first phase. Future expansion could include a line to Manor and another to Round Rock. Capital Metro is also looking into a circulator system of streetcars to connect most of Downtown, the University of Texas, and the 700-acre


49 Salt Lake City, UT MSA Milken rank -193 Unemp = 10.0% Pop. 1,115,692
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 107.38 Rank: 28
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 103.51 Rank: 80
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 109.75 Rank: 37
Population Growth since 2000 - +15.16%
Largest City – Salt lake City - Salt Lake City has a population of 181,698 as of July 1, 2008

Higher Education
Postsecondary educational options in Salt Lake City include the University of Utah, Westminster College, Salt Lake Community College, BYU Salt Lake Center, Eagle Gate College, and LDS Business College. There are also many trade and technical schools such as Healing Mountain Massage School and the Utah College of Massage Therapy. The University of Utah is noted for its research and medical programs. It was one of the original four universities to be connected to ARPANET, the predecessor to the Internet, in 1969, and was also the site of the first artificial heart transplant in 1982

Economy and Employers -
The modern economy of Salt Lake City is service-oriented. In the past, nearby steel, mining and railroad operations provided a strong source of income with Silver King Coalition Mines, Geneva Steel, Bingham Canyon Mine, and oil refineries. Today the city's major industries are government, trade, transportation, utilities, and professional and business services. The city is known as the "Crossroads of the West" for its central geography in the western United States. As a result, Interstate 15 is a major corridor for freight traffic and the area is host to many regional distribution centers.

Local, state, and federal governments have their largest presence in the city proper itself, and trade, transportation, and utilities also take up a significant portion of employment, with the major employer being the western North America Delta Air Lines hub at Salt Lake City International Airport. Equally significant are the professional and business services, while health services and health educational services also serve as significant areas of employment. Other major employers include the University of Utah, Sinclair Oil Corporation, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Besides its central offices, the LDS Church owns and operates a profit division, Deseret Management Corporation and its subsidiaries, which are headquartered in the city. Other notable firms headquartered in the city include AlphaGraphics, Sinclair Oil Corporation, Zions Bancorporation, Smith's Food and Drug (owned by national grocer Kroger). Notable firms based in the metropolitan area include Arctic Circle Restaurants, FranklinCovey, and Overstock.com. Metropolitan Salt Lake was also once the headquarters of Kentucky Fried Chicken (the first ever KFC is located in South Salt Lake), American Stores, the Skaggs Companies, and ZCMI, one of the first-ever department stores; it is currently owned by Macy's, Inc. Former ZCMI stores now operate under the Macy's label. Suburban Salt Lake was also the first location for Sears Grand (at the Jordan Landing shopping center in West Jordan).

Since Utah is one of seven states that allow the establishment of commercially-owned industrial banks, the vast majority of industrial banks in the U.S. have established their headquarters in the Salt Lake City area. High-tech firms with a large presence in the suburbs include e-Bay, Unisys, Siebel, Micron, L-3 Communications and 3M.

Other economic activities include tourism, conventions, and major suburban call centers. Tourism has increased since the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and many hotels and restaurants were built for the events. The convention industry has expanded since the construction of the Salt Palace convention center in the late 1990s, which hosts trade shows and conventions, including the annual Outdoor Retailers meeting and Novell's annual BrainShare convention.

In 2006, the largest potato producer in Idaho, the United Potato Growers of America, announced that it would re-locate its headquarters to Salt Lake City, citing its need for a large international airport, being that Salt Lake City International is the 22nd busiest in the world in terms of combined freight and passengers.

In 2005, it was found the downtown area was experiencing rapid population growth. The number of residential units in the central business district has increased by 80% since 1995, and is forecast to nearly double in the next decade. Office vacancy rates are low in the downtown region. Construction of the Gateway District, light rail, and planned commuter rail service have supported the revival of downtown.

Public Transportation
Salt Lake City's mass transit service is operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and includes an extensive bus system, light rail, and a commuter rail line. The 19-mile (31 km) light rail system, called TRAX, consists of two lines originating downtown at the Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub; one line, which opened in 1999, heads south to Sandy and the other, opened in 2001, splits east to the University of Utah. Daily ridership averages 45,400 (as of the second quarter of 2008), significantly above original projections, and is the eleventh-most ridden light rail system in the country, but also the fourth-most ridden system by mile. The system has a total of 28 stations, 17 of them being located in Salt Lake City proper. The commuter rail system, FrontRunner, opened on April 26, 2008 and extends from the Intermodal Hub north to Pleasant View.

UTA plans to complete four additional TRAX lines (one of which will connect to the airport), as well as FrontRunner south to Provo, by 2014 as part of its FrontLines 2015 project. These extensions were made possible by a sales tax hike for road improvements, light rail, and commuter rail that was approved by voters on November 7, 2006. In addition, a $500 million letter of intent was signed by the Federal Transit Administration for all four of the planned TRAX extensions in addition to the FrontRunner extension to Provo. FrontRunner South and three of these four TRAX lines are currently under construction, with the other expected to begin construction in 2009.

UTA's bus system extends throughout the Wasatch Front from Brigham City in the north to Santaquin in the south and as far west as Grantsville. UTA also operates routes to the ski resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons during the ski season (typically November to April). Approximately 60,000 people ride the bus daily, although ridership has reportedly declined since TRAX was constructed.


50 Raleigh-Cary, NC Milken rank - 2 Unemp = 9.1% Pop. 1,088,765
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 113.07 Rank: 11
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 105.86 Rank: 11
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 101.98 Rank: 83
Population Growth since 2000 - A007+36.60%
Largest city – Raleigh - - (Capital of North Carolina) population on July 1, 2008 was 392,552 (a 42% increase from the 2000 Census), making Raleigh the 8th fastest growing city in the United States

Higher Education – (Public) - North Carolina State University, Wake Technical Community College, (Private)- Meredith College, Peace College, Shaw University, St. Augustine's College, In addition, the Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law has announced that it will move to downtown Raleigh from the nearby town of Buies Creek by 2009. (Private, for profit) - ECPI College of Technology, School of Communication Arts, Strayer University, Mitchell's Hair Styling Academy, The Emerald Academy - A Paul Mitchell Partner School

Economy and Employers
The State of North Carolina. Raleigh's industrial base includes electrical, medical, electronic and telecommunications equipment; clothing and apparel; food processing; paper products; and pharmaceuticals. Raleigh is part of North Carolina's Research Triangle, one of the country's largest and most successful research parks and a major center in the United States for high-tech and biotech research, as well as advanced textile development. The city is a major retail shipping point for eastern North Carolina and a wholesale distributing point for the grocery industry.

Public Transportation -
Public transportation in and around Raleigh is provided by Capital Area Transit (CAT), which operates 38 bus fixed routes and a historic trolley line within the city, and also by Triangle Transit. From 1995 the cornerstone of Triangle Transit's long-term plan was a 28-mile rail corridor from northeast Raleigh, through downtown Raleigh, Cary, and Research Triangle Park, to Durham using DMU technology. There were proposals to extend this corridor 7 miles to Chapel Hill with light rail technology. However, in 2006 Triangle Transit deferred implementation indefinitely when the Federal Transit Administration declined to fund the program due to low ridership projections.


70 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA Milken rank - 7 Unemp = 9.4% Pop. 710,514
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 118.39 Rank: 3
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 119.99 Rank: 9
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 200.93 Rank: 1
Population Growth since 2000 - +24.77%
Largest City – McAllen - The population was 106,414 at the 2000 Census

Higher Education
University of Texas–Pan American (approximately 17,000 students as of August 2007) in Edinburg, South Texas College (approximately 20,000 students spread across their 5 campus in Rio Grande City and Weslaco)

Economy and Employers -
Prior to ratification of the North American Free Trade Agreement, economic activity in McAllen was centered around agriculture and petroleum.

A Foreign trade zone is located on the southwest side of the city. In addition to the industrial activity, there is a vibrant retail sector that is dependent on purchases made by wealthier middle and upper middle-class consumers. For the past couple of years, McAllen's economy has been improving and has become one of the best improving economies in the United States. Also, the real estate market has been growing in the metro area. In a Forbes article on the internet, McAllen was number one in the best real estate markets in the United States. Even when the rest of the country has been affected be the financial crisis, McAllen hasn't been affected yet, instead, it is still growing.

Public Transportation
Public Transportation for the City of McAllen began in June 1997. In the beginning, McAllen’s public transportation system, McAllen Express (ME), was administered by the Lower Rio Grande Development Council. Since 2005, McAllen Express Transit (MET) has been operated as a Department of the City of McAllen. MET now has seven fixed routes serving residents and visitors of McAllen. MET operates six days out of the week, 13 hours per day. In 2003, changes in the census affected McAllen’s urbanized area, and MET lost $1.5 million in operating funds. Nonetheless, the City of McAllen has worked diligently to ensure that service levels are maintained, and continues to plan for service improvements. Ridership in 1997 totaled 42,578 passenger trips. The first full year of operation was in 1998, and the ridership recorded for that year was 201,506 passenger trips. In 2008 McAllen Express Transit accomplished record high numbers in ridership, totalling 412,151 passenger trips, accounting for more that twice the ridership recorded in 1998.


81 Charleston-Summerville SC MSA Milken rank -10 Unemp = 9.4% Pop. 630,100
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 108.38 Rank: 23
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 111.25 Rank: 24
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 115.73 Rank: 25
Population Growth since 2000 - +14.78%
Largest City – Charleston - The population was estimated to be 118,492 in 2007

Higher Education –
Public institutions of higher education in Charleston include the College of Charleston (the nation's thirteenth oldest university) and the Citadel (the state's military college). The city is home to a law school, the Charleston School of Law, as well as a medical school, the Medical University of South Carolina. Charleston is also home to the Roper Hospital School of Practical Nursing and Trident Technical College, and branches of Webster University are also located in the city. Graduate degrees from South Carolina’s top public universities are available in Charleston through the Lowcountry Graduate Center. Charleston is also the location for the only college in the country that offers bachelors degrees in the building arts, The American College of the Building Arts. The newest school to come to Charleston is The Art Institute of Charleston located downtown on North Market Street.

Economy and Employers -
Charleston is a major tourist destination, with a considerable number of luxury hotels, hotel chains, inns, and bed and breakfasts and a large number of award-winning restaurants and quality shopping. Charleston is becoming a prime location for information technology jobs and corporations, most notably Blackbaud, Modulant, CSS, Benefitfocus, and Google. The aerospace industry is beginning to establish itself with the joint venture plant of Vought and Alenia Aeronautica, where two of the five sections of the Boeing 787 fuselage are fabricated and assembled. Charleston is also an important art destination, named a top 25 arts destination by AmericanStyle magazine.

The city is an important port, boasting the second largest container seaport on the East Coast and the fourth largest container seaport in North America.The Port of Charleston consists of five terminals. Three are on the Harbor and the other two are on the Cooper River just north of Charleston's bustling harbor. The port is ranked number one in customer satisfaction across North America by supply chain executives. Port activity, behind tourism, is the leading source of Charleston's revenue.

Charleston is the primary medical center for the eastern portion of the state. The city has several major hospitals located in the downtown area alone: Medical University of South Carolina Medical Center (MUSC), Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, and Roper Hospital. MUSC is the state's first school of medicine, the largest medical university in the state, and the sixth oldest continually operating school of medicine in the United States. The downtown medical district is experiencing rapid growth of biotechnology and medical research industries coupled with substantial expansions of all the major hospitals. Additionally, more expansions are planned or underway at several other major hospitals located in other portions of the city and the metropolitan area: Bon Secours-St Francis Xavier Hospital, Trident Medical Center, and East Cooper Regional Medical Center.

Public Transportation
The city is also served by a bus system, operated by the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA). The majority of the urban area is served by regional fixed route buses which are also equipped with bike racks as part of the system's Rack & Ride program. CARTA offers connectivity to historic downtown attractions and accommodations with DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle) trolley buses, and it offers curbside pickup for disabled passengers with its Tel-A-Ride buses.

Rural parts of the city and metropolitan area are served by a different bus system, operated by Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Rural Transportation Management Association (BCD-RTMA).

102 Provo-Orem, UT MSA Milken rank -1 Unemp = 4.8% Pop. 493,306
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 116.49 Rank: 5
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 109.54 Rank: 33
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 105.80 Rank: 55
Population Growth since 2000 - +30.93%
Largest City – Provo - estimated population of 540,820 residents

Higher Education
Provo is home to Brigham Young University, a private university operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BYU (occasionally referred to as "BYU-Provo" after Ricks College became BYU-Idaho in 2001) is the second largest private university in the country, with more than 34,000 students. Utah Valley University and Stevens-Henager College are also located in Orem.

Economy and Employers -
Five Provo companies are listed on Inc.com's Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. The largest, DieCuts With a View, is ranked number 1403 and has revenues of $26.2 million. Other companies on the list are Atlas Marketing Group (ranked 1035, with $19.6 million of revenue), VitalSmarts (ranked 1501, with $17.9 million in revenue), Heritage Web Solutions (ranked 22, with $8.2 million in revenue), and Connect Public Relations (ranked 3694, with $6.1 million in revenue).

MediaWorks Inc., one of Utah's premiere film and video production companies, was founded in Provo in 1998 and continues to provide production services to companies throughout the United States.

Provo is home to more than three dozen restaurants, and a couple of shopping centers. The Provo Towne Centre, a shopping mall, operates in Provo. Within the past two years, a number of small shops, music venues, and boutiques have popped up in downtown, along Center Street and University Avenue. Downtown has also begun regularly hosting "gallery strolls", held every first Friday of the month, featuring local artists.

Public Transportation
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) bus system. UTA's commuter rail service, FrontRunner, is expected to be extended to Provo from Salt Lake City by 2012


130Huntsville, AL MSA Milken rank -5 Unemp = 7.2% Pop. 386,632
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 107.52 Rank: 26
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 109.67 Rank: 32
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 116.31 Rank: 24
Population Growth since 2000 - +12.84%
Largest City – Huntsville - the largest city in the area with a population of 168,132 people

Higher Education
Huntsville's higher education institutions include Alabama A&M University, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Oakwood University, J.F. Drake State Technical College.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville is the largest university serving the greater Huntsville area. The research-intensive university has more than 7,400 students. Approximately half of the university’s graduates earn a degree in engineering or science, making the university one of the largest producers of engineers and physical scientists in Alabama. Oakwood University, founded in 1896, is a Seventh-day Adventist university and a member institution of the United Negro College Fund. It is one of the nation's leading producers of successful Black applicants to medical schools.

Numerous colleges and universities have satellite locations or extensions in Huntsville: Huntsville Regional Medical Campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Calhoun Community College - Calhoun Community College at Cummings Research Park, Calhoun Community College at Redstone Arsenal, Athens State University. Georgia Institute of Technology, Faulkner University, Columbia College, Virginia College, Florida Institute of Technology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. One of two local hospitals, Huntsville Hospital also has an accredited school of radiologic technology.

Economy and Employers -
Huntsville's main economic influence is derived from aerospace and military technology. Redstone Arsenal, Cummings Research Park (CRP), and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center comprise the main hubs for the area's technology-driven economy. CRP is the second largest research park in the United States and the fourth largest in the world, and is over 38 years old. Huntsville is also home for commercial technology companies such as the network access company ADTRAN, computer graphics company Intergraph and design and manufacturer of IT infrastructure Avocent. Telecommunications provider Deltacom, Inc. and copper tube manufacturer and distributor Wolverine Tube are also based in Huntsville. Cinram manufactures and distributes 20th Century Fox DVDs and Blu-ray Discs out of their Huntsville plant. Sanmina-SCI also has a large presence in the area. Forty-two Fortune 500 companies have operations in Huntsville.

In 2005, Forbes Magazine named the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area as 6th best place in the nation for doing business, and number one in terms of the number of engineers per total employment. In 2006, Huntsville dropped to 14th; the prevalence of engineers was not considered in the 2006 ranking.

Huntsville is fast becoming a regional retail center. There are many strip malls and "power centers" throughout the city. Huntsville has two malls—Madison Square Mall, built in 1984, and Parkway Place, built in 2002 on the site of the former Parkway City Mall. The city also has a lifestyle center called Bridge Street Town Centre, built in 2007, in Cummings Research Park. Another "live, work, and play" center is being constructed on the former site of the Heart of Huntsville Mall. It is to be called Constellation with ground breaking in Fall 2007 and scheduled completion by 2010.

Public Transportation
Public transit in Huntsville is run by the city's Department of Parking and Public Transit. The Huntsville Shuttle runs 11 fixed routes throughout the city, mainly around downtown and major shopping areas like Memorial Parkway and University Drive and has recently expanded some of the buses to include bike racks on the front for a trial program. There is also a Tourist Trolley that makes stops at tourist attractions and shopping centers.

The North Alabama Railroad Museum in Chase maintains a line once owned by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N). The museum runs weekend tourist rides along a short track in Northeast Madison County. The origin of these rides was once the smallest Union Station in the United States when it served the predecessor to L&N and the predecessor to the Norfolk and Western Railroad.


145 Wilmington, NC Milken rank - 6 Unemp = 10.3% Pop. 339,511
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 115.90 Rank: 8
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 111.26 Rank: 23
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 148.44 Rank: 4
Population Growth since 2000 - +23.67%
A July 1, 2008 United States Census Bureau estimate places the population at 100,192

Higher Education –
University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College, Shaw University satellite campus

Economy and Employers
Wilmington's industrial base includes electrical,medical,electronic and telecommunications equipment; clothing and apparel; food processing; paper products; and pharmaceuticals. Wilmington is part of North Carolina's Research coast,one of the Country's largest and most successful research parts and major center in the United States. Also important to Wilmington's economy is tourism and film production. Economists have forecast growth in the Greater Wilmington area to be the fastest in the state between 2004–2010, averaging 7%.

Located on the Cape Fear River, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington is a sizable seaport, including private marine terminals and the North Carolina State Ports Authority's Port of Wilmington. A major international seaport, the North Carolina International Port, is being planned down the river in Southport.

Public Transportation –
Public transit in the area is provided by the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority, which operates fixed bus routes, shuttles, and a free downtown trolley under the brand name Wave Transit.


182 Olympia, WA MSA Milken rank - 9 Unemp = 8.0% Pop. 238,555
5-yr Job Growth(02-06) 109.45 Rank: 18
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 108.70 Rank: 36
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 112.51 Rank: 33
Population Growth since 2000 - +15.05%
Largest City - Olympia - The population was 42,514 at the 2000 census

Higher Education
Olympia has a number of institutions of higher learning, including The Evergreen State College, South Puget Sound Community College, and St. Martin's University in adjacent Lacey, Washington.

Economy and Employers
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. Each year the Olympia Film Society (OFS) produces a nationally-recognized film festival and fosters film and video education in Olympia. It also shows independent, classic and international films year-round at the art-deco Capitol Theater. A mostly volunteer-powered organization, OFS supports and presents a variety of culture events, including All Freakin' Night, an all-night horror film screening with a cult following.

Area companies in growth segments include Dart Containers Inc., Albany International Corp., Big Toys Inc., and Amtech Corp.

Compared to other regions in the state, Olympia and Thurston County are home to a relatively small number of technology companies. To attract them, economic development officials promoted the area's telecommunication infrastructure, low property price, and educated workforce. In 2004 Univera Inc., a biotechnology firm, relocated to Thurston County from Colorado. Other recent additions to the area are Reach One, an Internet service provider, and Fast Transact, a processor of credit card transactions.

Public Transportation
Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and the surrounding area are primarily served by Intercity Transit, more commonly referred to as "IT" by locals. Routes from other transit services such as Grays Harbor Transit, Mason Transit, and the Tacoma/Lakewood Express with Pierce Transit. Intercity Transit maintains a free shuttle route called "Dash". Dash runs from the Capitol Campus to the Farmers Market at the far edge of downtown.

The Hound thinks we really need to study the success of these cities and see where their characteristics can fit into Hickory's plans for the future.


These successful Metro areas are well spread out through the United States, but the bad news for Hickory is that the Milken ratings list three of the best performing as being in the Carolinas (Raleigh #2, Wilmington #6, and Charleston #10). In my opinion, that shows that we are underperforming. None of the listed cities are in the Northeast or Midwest. None of the cities are in California. Besides the three in the Carolinas, two are in Texas, two are in Utah, two are in Washington, and one is in Alabama.

The Unemployment rate of all but one of these cities (Wilmington) is at or below the National average of 9.4%. Provo, Salt Lake City, and Austin have unemployment rates below 7% and Huntsville, Alabama is at 7.2%. During this recession, the vast majority of areas in the country would die to see numbers like that.

There are certainly factors that it will be impossible for our city to emulate. Four of the cities (Austin, Salt Lake City, Raleigh, and Olympia) are the capitals of their state. Three (Seattle-Tacoma, Charleston, and Wilmington) are major international ports. And McAllen enjoys a unique situation, because of its geographical location on the border of Mexico, which allows it to take advantage of its status of being a Foreign Trade Zone.

What I believe we should study is the Commercial characteristics and Cultural Amenities of these cities and how they are addressing needs that are relevant to the 21st century. Everyone of these cities is addressing their Public Transportation needs. They all have working and viable Bus Systems. Three cities (Seattle-Tacoma, Salt Lake City, and Provo) have viable Light Rail systems. Austin is in the final stage of implementing a rail system and Raleigh is looking to soon establish their own Light Rail system. These are important steps needed to address rapidly growing populations, because not addressing commuter traffic concerns will definitely have an immediate negative impact on fast growing communities. Think of the traffic congestion in Raleigh and the consequences we have already seen on their traffic system. If Raleigh adds another 36.6% to its population over the next 8 years (as it did over the first eight years of this millenium) think of the implications that will be placed upon their infrastructure.

When looking at the Tech sector of these successful cities, we see that the characteristic of being tech savvy has played a vital role in these cities' success. Five of these MSAs (Seattle-Tacoma, McAllen, Charleston, Huntsville, and Wilmington) are in the top 25 MSAs in the nation when it comes to Income derived from the Tech sector of their economy (Tech GDP). Seattle-Tacoma is synonymous with Microsoft, Bill Gates, and Paul Allen. Austin is known as the "Silicon Hills" and long ago developed a direct connection to "Silicon Valley" in California. Huntsville is a major space technology center. Raleigh has the Research Triangle Park. Salt Lake City was one of the four original sites of what is the modern day internet. Wilmington has and is developing an integral connection with the Entertainment and Film Industry. What is very clear is that High-Tech capacities play a vital role in all of these communities viability.

What is also clear is that these communities have a vast array of cultural offerings. Seattle and Austin are known for music, The Utah area has many outdoor activities to offer, because of venues that were developed for the Winter Olympics a few years ago. Olympia is the home of a major film festival. Charleston, and Wilmington to a lesser extent, has a unique historical history and southern gentile charm that sells itself. These offerings enhance these communities Quality of Life.

The Hound thinks that Hickory needs to put the puzzle together. We certainly have many of the characteristics these cities have to offer. We don't need to copy them, but we can adapt some of the key ingredients to rebrand Hickory into our own unique and significant community.

We don't have a port or access to the ocean, but we can learn from Salt lake City, Provo, and Austin on that account. They are also landlocked like us. Like those cities, Hickory sits at several important geographical and transportational crossroads and should be a vital central location for Western North Carolina. In my opinion that is what caused this city to develop in the first place. Why we lost the meaning and significance of this part of our city's Mission of Existence is beyond me.

As Harry Hipps has stated, we need to develop an entertainment business sector in this city. It would go hand-in hand with our restaurant and retail business sectors and it would appeal to a younger demographic. I have heard the possibilities of a mid-sized concert venue being developed and I think a nice Ampitheatre in the area would have a lot to offer. Just think of people around the region converging on Hickory and spending money in our stores. That seems like a lot better scenario than always having our citizens go to concerts in Charlotte, Asheville, Greensboro, or Greenville, SC and spend money there..

I also hope that the significance of the corridor between Google and Apple won't slip by without being acted upon. We seriously need to address our broadband and Information Technology needs the way that most of these successful communities have. I truly believe that this is a significant part of our "Field of Dreams." If we build it, they will come. All of the successful cities have made relevant contributions to the New World's Creative Economy. These cities have chosen to get out front and lead the way, and as a result they are reaping huge rewards because of the development of their technological sector. I truly believe that we are still in the beginning stages of this process in creating a technical society and there is plenty of room to get on board, but we need to get on board sooner rather than later, or once again we are going to be on the short end of the stick.

The last thing I would like to address in this article, is that it is obvious that a city gains nothing by trying to limit its population growth. Remember all of the times we heard the term "Controlled Growth" bandied about from the late 1990s until last year. I think that most people have now seen the folly that was involved in that endeavor. "Controlled Growth" is what led to the consequences of "No Growth" we have been experiencing during this malaise. Look at these successful and vibrant cities.

Hickory must move past this current quagmire and start developing again. We are still stuck in the last century. If Hickory had grown at the same rate that Raleigh did over the last eight years, then Hickory Proper would now have a population of over 50,000 people and the Metro population would be over 460,000. Just think of all of the development that could have taken place over that time, if we had grown at half the pace Raleigh has. Evidence points to the fact that the cities in our category are dying. Developing Hickory into a sleepy little village is the surest way to destroy the viability of our community. I hope that you will join me in that conclusion and understand that it is time that we must aim our sights toward growth once again.

***The Information above was developed with the help of Wikipedia and the Milken Institute's research called 2008 Best Performing Cities.

How to destroy North Carolina's Economy - Brought to you by the people in charge!!!

The leaders of the old North State are at it again, raising taxes by another $1 billion. Will they ever figure out that this State's taxes are high enough already? They need to refocus the money that is already coming in. Psst... People are hurting already, it's going to be hard to bleed the turnips. The sheer idiocy of our State's elected leaders and bureaucrats baffles me. Do they really think raising the sales tax rate is going to increase revenues? Do you (the citizens) think this is going to bring our budget into balance? Have y'all ever heard of the Laffer curve?

Video about the Laffer Curve

I want you to go see the recorded vote. When this bill blows up in the State's face then I hope that the people who voted for this monstrosity will be held accountable. North Carolina Appropriations Act of 2009. Senate Roll Call. House Roll Call.

According the the News and Observer -- The budget includes temporary taxes worth $990 million. About 80 percent of that comes from increasing the sales tax rate by one penny, so that most consumers would pay 7.75 cents on each dollar they spend through mid-2011. Corporate profits would face a 3 percent surtax for two years. Cigarette taxes will rise permanently by 10 cents per pack.

Hound Opinion: With the additional 1-cent added to the sales tax rate, we are moving towards the highest rates in the nation. Currently only 10 states have a combined sales tax rate of over 8% and ours will now be 7.75 cents in most communities. Three of those States don't have a State Income tax. Personally, I could care less about the Cigarette tax, which will rise permanently by 10-cents per pack to 45-cents, because I don't smoke; but it is a regressive tax that hurts our poorest citizens and if it does lead to fewer smokers or packs smoked, then it is not going to increase revenues.

The state is also going to increase income taxes exhorbinantly on people making over $60,000 a year and couples making over $100,000. So if an individual is making $100,000 a year, then that means they are going to be paying an additional $800 in taxes on top of what they are already paying; plus whatever taxes Washington decides they want, and this is just income tax. That is money being taken out of the private sector and being redirected towards the wasteful whims and fantasies of Elected Officials, who have proven they don't know how to maintain finances to start with. That is how we got into the hole we are now in. Maybe if people like Mike Easley and his wife weren't living it up on the taxpayer dime, then none of this would have ever been contemplated.

Corporate profits will face a 3 percent surtax for two years. So, we have a State unemployment rate of 11.2% and 15.5% here in Catawba County. I don't think business has laid people off for the heck of it. Statistics show that 98.1% of people employed in North Carolina are employed by small businesses. And here is our state taking 3% away from these company's bottom line over the next two years. How many of these businesses are going to be pushed over the edge into bankruptcy.

Many of you know that I am a Chef. I understand small business. My aunt owns 1859 Cafe here in Hickory. I laugh when I hear people, on the outside looking in, who think that her business is a money machine. She pays sales tax quarterly and the State isn't going to wait around for you to pay it. She pays a liquor license fee and an additional tax on each bottle she purchases from the ABC. She pays for a beer and wine license, as well as a license to use alcohol at catering events. Did you know that each restaurant pays to be inspected by both the health department and fire department? She pays city and county property taxes and an occupancy fee. She also matches FICA on each employee's wages that work for her. And if she turns a profit, then she has to pay Capital Gains tax and tax on her personal income. And here is our wonderful State, who seem to think money grows on trees, and think an extra 3% is just laying around that won't be missed. Hey guess what State of North Carolina, people are already having to cut back on eating out. That means less revenue and less chance to profit (Doh!!!). They don't have a clue.

A couple more jewels that McClatchy News Service reported. The first will assess sales tax on most digital downloads, including music, videos and ringtones, starting Jan. 1. That means a 99-cent iTunes download, for example, will instead cost $1.07. The second Internet-related tax is more complicated. Basically, it will allow the state to begin charging sales tax Sept. 1 on purchases from online merchants who make sales through referrals from N.C. Web site owners. Amazon.com has such a program, but discontinued it in North Carolina in June to avoid having to assess sales tax.

The Hound sees the ramifications of what is being done. Everyone wants to blindly maintain the status quo. No one wants to admit they have made mistakes and/or admit to past errors in judgment. The damage that has already been done will continue to snowball, because everyone involved is unwilling to go back to square one and totally rebuild our State's revenue structure.

We have to address issues that have harmed business. We have to help retain businesses that are on the brink of catastrophe and help entrepreneurs foster start-ups. These bills do none of that. These bills will keep these processes from being implemented.

In your gut, do you really think we aren't taxed enough? In my opinion, if you aren't willing to pay more money into the system yourself, then you have no right to demand more from others. That is where the Statists always get you. They create hostility and resentment towards others and all they do is take and take and take some more -- from everyone.

The effects of our government's actions are changing people's behavior. I believe that we are heading to the point where people are going to start usurping the injustices of The State Code and Tax System whenever possible. You are going to see Black Markets arise, Cash under the Table Deals, and Bartering become the norm. People will find a way around all of those Internet junk taxes. They are going to bring in very little revenue. Check out the story from the Seattle Post Intelligencer about Federal Tax Reveues Plummeting (The Most since 1932).

Employers that were just hit by an increase in the minimum wage are now being asked to pony up an additional 3% surtax on profit, and soon it will be the Federal Governments turn to increase income taxes and make demands on Employer based Health Care, as well as other hallucinations of grandeur. Riddle me this. If you are a business owner, why would you hire anyone at this time?

Government, at all levels, has created all of the elements needed to crash our economy and most people don't recognize or are in denial that the noose has been slipped around our necks. The only way out of this is Independence and self-sufficiency. That can't be achieved while supporting all of this dead weight. We have to create the elements that will lead to increased economic activity. That is the only way we are going to get people back to work. And without reasonably low unemployment, we cannot ever have a sustainable recovery and economic growth. Think about it. What has the State of North Carolina done that will achieve that goal?

Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 4, 2009

This newsletter is about the Hickory City Council meeting that I attended this past week. City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each Month in the Council Chambers of the Julian Whitener building.

At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.

At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, you will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.

Here is a summary of the agenda of the 8/4/2009 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below.

Invocation by Rev. Thomas Griffis of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Special Presentations:
A. Presentation to City Council of a Gift from the Leaders of Taiwan by Dave and Kathy Ludwig Who Recently Traveled to Taiwan - The Ludwigs gave an excellent and thorough presentation, in which they showed geographical and cultural points of interest, as well as the politics of Taiwan.

The Ludwigs discussed the stresses that Taiwanese families are experiencing, because of western influences upon their society. One of the effects has been upon the divorce rate. Taiwan is currently experiencing a divorce rate of 25%, which is the highest rate in any Asian country. Mr Ludwig leads a center called "The Power of We," which is a based out of Lenoir-Rhyne. Mr. Ludwig tried to convey that the current Financial Tsunami is an opportunity to bring families back together.

The Ludwigs presented a beautiful hand made banner by Don Hakka (of Taiwan's Hakka Village) to the Council. The banner reads in Mandarin, "North Carolina, Hickory." The banner was framed with a picture of Mr. Hakka creating the banner in the lower right hand corner.

Consent Agenda:
A. Request From Hickory Downtown Development Association for Use of Union Square for 2009 Oktoberfest From October 9 – 11, 2009

B. Request From Christ United Methodist Church for Use of Union Square for Reactivate Meeting/Concert on August 20, 2009 From 6:30 p.m. thru 10:30 p.m.

C. Approve Resolution for Grant Application Authorization for Year 3 Traffic Safety Unit Grant Funded Through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program - The City’s Traffic Safety Unit Grant application has been approved by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) for consideration requesting continuation of funding for 4 full-time officers, training and equipment at a cost of $202,260. The City’s responsibility is 50% or $101,131. Approval of the Resolution guarantees that the City of Hickory will commit to the required matching funds if awarded. The Hickory Police Department continues to respond to thousands of traffic crashes and related citations, many resulting in personal and property damages. Through aggressive enforcement in the first half of the traffic funded grant, speeding citations increased by more than 17% and traffic crashes have been reduced by 6% in 2008 as compared to 2007. A budget amendment is not required; funds are budgeted.

D. Approval of Deductive Change Order With HSMM/AECOM Regarding EPA Stage 2 Disinfection By-Product System Analysis in the Amount of $41,870 - On February 22, 2007 City Council approved the consulting contract with HSMM/AECOM for an EPA Stage 2 Disinfection By-Product System Analysis. The City and 11 other public water systems jointly contracted with HSMM/AECOM to complete the studies. The City is the lead agent financially, but is not responsible for individual results of the studies and simply processes pay requests from HSMM/AECOM and bills proportionately to the other entities. The public water systems of Triple Community Water Corporation and Rutherford College Water Corporation, both from Burke County, have chose to perform the studies by other means and therefore, HSMM/AECOM is offering a Deductive Change Order in the amount of $41,870 to account for the nonparticipation of those 2 entities. This amount equals those systems’ previous commitment in the Letters of Agreement. The original contract was for $282,750 and with the Change Order the new contract amount will be $240,880.

E. Accept 2009 Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grant from NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Amount of $80,000 - The NC DENR has awarded the City a 2009 Mobile Source Emissions Reduction Grant in the amount of $80,000. This grant will allow the City to replace a dual diesel engine street sweeper with a compressed natural gas street sweeper, which will reduce emissions and improve air quality. The total cost of the new equipment is $246,972 and will be funded in the Street Department capital outlay for vehicles with the revenue sources coming from the grant ($80,000) and the remaining balance ($166,972) coming from the Fund 010 fund balance. The bid was awarded to Public Works Equipment and Supply, Inc.

F. Budget Ordinances
1. Re-appropriate $32,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Department's Maintenance and Repair of Buildings - This amendment is necessary to complete renovations to Station 2 in order to sustain the activation of a second ladder company. In FY08-09 $32,000 was budgeted for these renovations however due to time constraints the Fire Department staff was unable to complete the process for securing quotes prior to the end of FY08-09. Therefore, the $32,000 rolled into General Fund Balance and a re-appropriation of funds is necessary.

2. Re-appropriate $4,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Department for the purchase of furniture for Station 1. Due to time constraints staff was unable to complete the process for securing quotes for these items prior to the end of FY08-09; therefore, the $4,000 rolled into General Fund Balance and a re-appropriation of funds is necessary.

3. Re-Appropriate $20,805 from the General Fund and budget in the Planning Department Vacant Building Revitalization Grant . This re-appropriation provides matching funds to assist Maddadle, LLC in the renovation of a building located at 326 2nd Ave. NW. Plans are to renovate this facility into a professional medical practice. Funds were budgeted in FY08-09 however were not expended prior to the end of the fiscal year. Therefore a re-appropriation of funds is necessary.

4. Re-appropriate a total of $3,694 from the General Fund and budget towards the Library Department - Training, Meals and Lodging ($2,187), Seminar Registration Fees ($754), and Travel ($753). The Library budgeted funds in FY08-09 for the ALA Conference which is normally held in June, however the conference was scheduled in July. Therefore the budgeted funds rolled into General Fund Balance at year end and a re-appropriation of funds is necessary.

5. Appropriate a total of $84,000 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance and budget $42,000 in the Northeast WWTP Vehicles and $42,000 in the Henry Fork WWTP Vehicles - This appropriation is necessary for the purchase of two sludge trailers for the wastewater treatment plants. These trailers were scheduled to be replaced next year however, they have now been deemed to be unworthy of road travel so they must be replaced.

6. Appropriate $301,636 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance and transfer to the Northeast WWTP Capital Project to pay AECOM USA, Inc. for modifying the design of the Northeast WWTP facility upgrade. This upgrade is vital to the continued mission and goal of Hickory Public Utilities to protect the areas natural resources. The upgraded treatment facility will allow for this facility to meet future nutrient discharge limits and improve the current discharge quality into Lake Hickory.

7. Appropriate $24,000 of miscellaneous reimbursement revenue from the Department of Justice and budget in the Police Department’s part time salaries and FICA taxes. Funds are for the creation of two part-time telecommunicator positions created from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds - Justice Assistance Grant.

8. Re-appropriate $166,972 from the General Fund and budget $80,000 of Federal Revenue in the Transportation Capital Vehicle for the purchase of a Compressed Natural Gas Sweeper. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources awarded the City of Hickory $80,000 in Federal EPA State Clean Diesel grant funds. The City of Hickory’s portion is $166,972 and was budgeted in FY08-09, however the purchase was not made prior to the end of FY08-09 and funds rolled in to General Fund, therefore a reappropriation is necessary.

Capital Project Ordinance Amendment No. 1
1. Appropriate $301,636 of Water and Sewer Fund Balance and transfer to the Northeast WWTP Capital Project to pay AECOM USA, Inc. for modifying the design of the Northeast WWTP facility upgrade - This upgrade is vital to the continued mission and goal of Hickory Public Utilities to protect the areas natural resources. The upgraded treatment facility will allow for this facility to meet future nutrient discharge limits and improve the current discharge quality into Lake Hickory.

Grant Project Ordinance No. 1
1. To budget $266,031 of Department of Justice 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds in the Police Departments Part Time Salaries ($22,295), Taxes-FICA ($1,705), Specialized Equipment ($174,536) and Contracted Services ($67,495) - The City of Hickory portion of this grant will fund two part-time telecommunicator salaries and FICA. The grant provides funds for the purchase of a SkyWatch Tower, two Rofin Polilight flares, a video analysis enhancement system, and a new target system for the current police firing range. Catawba County will be funded for one full time officer position and equipment revenue. (Originally discussed at the City Council Meeting of May 5, 2009 under New Business - Public Hearings: 1. Approval to Apply for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant in the Amount of $198,536.00).

Informational Items:
1. Update on Provision of Water to Apple Data Center - City Manager Berry explained that this project was made possible by the City of Hickory's participation in the partnership which built the multi-jurisdictional business park where this facility will be located. Hickory's role in this project will be that of a water provider. The leadership of the city, years ago, made a commitment that would allow the city to grow. Had those committments not been made, then this project could not have been brought to fruition. Hickory entered into an agreement with Apple and Hickory will charge the same amount that they charge any entity outside of the city, which is double-rates.

Mayor Wright stated that Maiden was very complementary of Hickory in helping make this deal happen. The Mayor basically addressed what Harry and I have talked about when it comes to Hickory's economic development, "Lenoir gets Google. Maiden gets Apple. What about Hickory?" The Mayor says that we are very much taking the position as team players. We know that if something good happens within 50 miles of Hickory, it's good for Hickory. We are not going to upset the Apple cart. We are going to help make this happen. There were some positions that Hickory could have taken to make Hickory competitive with Maiden, but this is the way that it needed to sort out to make it happen. It is a win-win for everybody including the average taxpayer.

The Hound truly believes the Mayor and other city officials misunderstand where the people I represent are coming from. We are observing what is going on, not trying to rap knuckles. This issue isn't about Apple and Maiden, Apple and Hickory, Google and Lenoir, Google and Hickory, Rudy, Mick, or any combination of the above.

We are happy that Lenoir and Maiden have landed these major companies and we are not coveting what they have achieved. What we are saying is that Hickory needs its own new businesses, inside the city limits, to be able to grow and prosper. The relevant issue is tax revenue and its relationship to the city's future budget. If we don't obtain new businesses and develop economic growth in Hickory, then we are going to have stagnant or declining tax revenue. Therefore as inflation takes its natural course, we are going to have to deal with the issues of cutting into the bone on the city's budget (cutting services) and/or raising taxes on residents and commercial enterprises in the near future.

We must have job growth in Hickory. Are Apple and Google going to hand us money to spend towards our city's needs? My guess is no. Are shoppers from Lenoir or Maiden going to flock to Hickory when Conover and Granite Falls are building up their marketplaces?

No one has shown any tangible numbers about the revenue streams coming from selling the Apple facility water. Will such revenues be comparable to property tax revenues provided from a facility with hundreds of millions of dollars of plant, property, and equipment? I highly doubt it.

This water issue is a moot point anyway. It isn't a card that we could ever afford to play. We can't turn area communities down when it comes to their water needs. That would have very negative consequences attached to it. We are the regional provider and that carries a lot of responsibility. We can never use water as a tool of extortion against the communities we provide this service to, just to get what we want. That would be cutting our noses off in spite of our face. Everyone realistically understands this.

Apple and Google present unique opportunities, if the right people are allowed to cultivate and implement what many might consider "Outside of the Box" solutions. We can be a High-Tech corridor, but we must see public officials encourage the developmental processes or they will not succeed. We have to set egos aside in order to achieve the goal of turning our circumstances around. It can't be totally about, "what's in it for me?" It has to be about, "what's in it for Hickory?"

So in the end, we don't need to spin every economic issue that comes down the pike. Why does everyone feel the need to play the role of Baghdad Bob. I know that the Mayor and the City Manager want things to turn around in Hickory, but sometimes they appear to be grasping at straws and overly optomistic in their prognostications, especially when it comes to what we can all see are the same ole processes. The Big Question is, are City Leaders willing to take the risks necessary to create some positive momentum? Words do not instill confidence in business people and entrepreneurs. Action and results instill confidence.


X. New Business - Public Hearings:
1. Consideration to Adopt a Joint Resolution between the Cities of Hickory and Conover to Levy an Additional 1% Room Occupancy and Tourism Development Tax as Authorized by House Bill 533 Ratified as 2009 Session Law Chapter 169 - Hickory and Conover were authorized by this bill to levy an occupancy tax of not less than 3% nor more than 5% of the gross receipts derived from room rental from any hotel, motel, inn, tourist camp or similar place within the City and to establish the Board of the Hickory-Conover Tourism Development Authority (TDA). The cities currently are authorized to levy a 5% occupancy tax. This law authorizes the cities by joint resolution to levy an additional 1% occupancy tax. The total tax once adopted by both cities, will be 6%. The joint resolution also ratifies the existing board appointments and terms of the Hickory-Conover Tourism Development Authority. The cities are to distribute the net proceeds of the tax to the TDA on a quarterly basis to be utilized by the TDA as outlined accordingly. City Manager Berry said the Lobbyist paid off well in this process. He also thanked Ray Warren for introducing the bill. The Convention Center and visitor's bureau is fully self-supported by this tax. City Manager Berry went into some of the breakdown of specifics of this tax.

During the Public Discussion of this issue, a Mr. Stuart Allen came forth about his concerns regarding the hole (at the former Buffalo's restaurant) on U.S. 70. He wants the city to demand proceedings against Steve Mason. The Mayor stated that he had conversations with the City Manager today about the issue and it is not as simple as it looks. Mr. Allen stated that it is an ugly situation and a health hazard. Unanimous Consent (5-0)

The Hound doesn't buy into the philosophy that the Lobbyist had anything to do with us getting this additional 1-cent. The Lobbyist is costing $50,000 a year. Give me something besides some Cliff Clavin numbers that show that the lobbyist creates value. Show me some tangible results where the lobbyist has really benefitted us.

Besides the money, this Lobbyist creates more issues than he solves. The city cannot do certain things, because of state laws about gifts and conflicts of interest involving a city's association with lobbyist representation. I will also argue that the issues that this lobbying group is claiming credit for solving are issues that we benefit from because of a piggy-back factor and not because this lobbyist is specifically representing Hickory.


B. New Business - Departmental Reports:
1. Approval of Design Proposal With HSMM/AECOM to Modify the Design of the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade in the Amount of $301,636 - This proposal modifies the design of the Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade in order to alter the scope of the proposed upgrade to reduce project construction costs. The upgrade is vital to the continued mission and goal of Hickory Public Utilities to protect the areas natural resources. Originally the project bid resulted in a construction cost of $37,499,000, which was over the City’s construction budget of $30,000,000, therefore resulting in the rejection of all bids by Council on June 16, 2009. The engineer estimates that the completion of this design modification will result in a construction cost of approximately $27,000,000, which will result in a total project cost of around $30,000,000. The savings will be realized due to removing some of the unknown risk of constructing new facilities on top of existing structures, adjustment to phases of work to allow contractor flexibility in work tasks, reusing some existing structures with upfitted new equipment and removal or reduction of some structures to be built. The HSMM/AECOM Engineers and City Staff feel that with the proposed design modifications there will be a real savings in the project construction cost without compromising the integrity of the proposed facility. The Mayor had the first reading pulled from the consent agenda and explained that his son is employed by HSMM, but has no significant financial interest in the company.

Kevin Greer stated that they have met with the engineers. Their desire is to get the budget down to $27 Million as a max. With contingencies that should put them right at the $30 million number. They are looking to identify cuts and modifications "to get it to a buildong project for us." They are still keeping the design concept -- replacing the facility. They are exploring options, such as, they are looking to redo some of the basins, instead of replacing them. They are going to give the contractor more leniency and decision making.

The original contract was signed in 2004. The estimate was $18 million with a 6% construction cost. This contract change has construction costs of 5.89% on $27 million. This is a modification of the original design. Mr. Greer stated finding a new engineer would start us back down a 2 1/2 to 3 year path. This saves us time. Alder Patton asked about Refurbishing some areas and what is the life expectancy of these? Mr. Greer said the sections will be resurfaced (they are 30 to 35 years old) and will be good as new and all equipment will be replaced with new. What is being saved is time in these basins. There are just a couple of places that they can use existing tanks. Unanimous Consent 5-0

The Hound isn't looking to play Monday Morning Quarterback here, because I have more questions about this issue than comments. Why has this project been in the works for 5 years. I believe that Mr. Greer stated that this process was begun in 2004. It seems to me that it makes a lot of sense that the company's cost objectives were way underestimated because of the length of time it has taken to get this project up and running.

The project, that was scrapped, is nearly 25% over the $30m million target I have seen addressed recently and more than 100% over that $18 million estimate from 2004. How did cost objectives get so far out of line? Are we going to sacrifice the quality of the project by demanding a $30 million budget when the company was asking for $37 million for the original work to be done?

What is even more confusing, is that Mr. Greer is stating that some of these basins can be refurbished without a loss of quality and other issues have been tightened up to achieve cost objectives. I am just curious as to why we weren't collaborating with this company and engineer over the last five years to ensure that cost and quality control objectives were going to be met. Why did it come to the point of Surprise, Surprise?


General comments
Pastor Jack McConnell addressed issues involving the Homeless Day Shelter Facility for men he runs called Grace House. 35 to 40 people attend daily. They are teaching basic computer classes (skills) to help participants access unemployment benefits, apply for disability claims, and do job searches. They also do referrals for mental health, substance abuse, and HIV testing.

They were seeded in the beginning by Abundant Grace Church and they have survived since January on donations from other churches and individuals. They are running short of funds and he looks at this as an opportunity for everyone to work together. There is a great gap after 8am in the morning. He sees a need for a place for people to go in the daytime. What he is asking for is some funding that might be available. The Mayor said that he would like to direct Mr. McConnell to have some further dialogue with the City Manager's office.

The Hound is appreciative of these types of operations. Pastor McConnell stated that there was no place for these people to go, once the shelters send them out at 8:30am in the morning. Pastor McConnell also stated that many of these people end up Downtown and there have been lots of complaints and disturbances. This facility will keep them from ending up down there.

Pastor McConnell stated that he had law officers come and speak to the people attending the program, so that they could build a relationship with them. I agree with what he stated about partnership, cooperation, and breaking down the wall between Public Service and the Homeless. This seems like it would be an excellent investment to facilitate better security and therefore a better commercial environment Downtown. We should look to encourage the dispersal of these types of facilities away from valuable commercial marketplaces. I believe that we must do everything we can to ensure the viability of our money centers and having vagrants panhandling patrons of these establishments does not help establish a vibrant and thriving marketplace.

Turning a blind eye towards these people and locking public bathrooms, that legitimate customers need, does not address a real issue that hurts Union Square. We need positive facilities, such as this, to help turn these peoples' lives around. In my opinion, this is an investment worth making.


Sally Fox spoke about the Hickory Farmer's Market participation in the national "Love Your Farmers Market" contest. The Grand prize is $5,000 and the Market could really use that money. She said that all of the original 5,000 people who wanted a farmers market need to get out there and vote. Here is the Link - Hickory Farmer's Market.

The Hound thinks that our Farmer's market is something that city officials should truly be proud of. I really think that we should do everything we can to promote what I consider Americana at it's best. These small marketeers setting up shop is what our country was built upon. I hope that as our city grows that our Farmer's Market will grow along with it. I would love, in the future, to see other markets held in a location for people who can't get Downtown. I think a Monday or Friday market in the St. Stephen's area would be a success going forward and it would not hurt the viability of the Downtown times or location.

Hickory Metro's Economy and the 10 Worst MSAs in the U.S.

This article is a continuation of the last article, Hickory Metro's Economy versus similar U.S. MSAs and Hickory Metro's Economy versus North Carolina MSAs. Here, I compare all of the Metropolitan Statistical Areas that are the 10 worst in the Milken Institute rankings. The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton MSA is the eighth largest MSA in this analysis.

The MSA populations in this analysis range from a high end of the nation's 11th largest market (Detroit, Michigan) 4,425,110 to a low end of (Holland-Grand Haven, Michigan) 259,210. Population growth, since 2000 shows that Holland, MI gained 8.77%, while Cleveland, OH lost 2.79% of its population. For the most part, the only MSAs that grew were the smaller MSAs. In these analyzes so far, we can see that population growth seems to greatly correlate with Economic growth. Hickory is not growing at the brisk pace we have seen in the past because of the lack of Economic Opportunity.

"The Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners Best Performing Cities Index ranks U.S. metropolitan areas by how well they are creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The components include job, wage and salary, and technology growth. The full report can be downloaded here."


11 Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI MSA Milken rank -200 Unemp = 14.9% Pop. 1,985,101 (Greater Detroit 4,425,110 - 2008 estimate)
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 86.71 Rank: 199
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 84.00 Rank: 199
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 79.11 Rank: 185
Population Growth since 2000 - -0.62%
Largest City – Detroit - In 2008 Detroit ranked as the United States' eleventh most populous city, with 912,062 residents

Higher Education
Ave Maria College (Ypsilanti), Cleary University (Ann Arbor and Howell), College for Creative Studies (Detroit), Concordia University (Ann Arbor), Cranbrook Academy of Art (Bloomfield Hills), Davenport University. Dorsey Business School, Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti), Everest Academy (Clarkston, Michigan), Henry Ford Community College (Dearborn), Kettering University (Flint), Lawrence Technological University (Southfield), Macomb Community College (Warren and Clinton Township), Madonna University (Livonia), Marygrove College (Detroit), Michigan State University (Troy), Monroe County Community College (Monroe), Mott Community College (Flint), Northwood University, Oakland Community College, Oakland University (Rochester), Rochester College (Rochester Hills), Schoolcraft College (Livonia), Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts (Southfield), Sacred Heart Major Seminary (Detroit), SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary (Orchard Lake), University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit), University of Michigan, (Ann Arbor), University of Michigan–Dearborn, University of Michigan-Flint, Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Auburn Hills), Walsh College of Accountancy and Business (Troy), Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor), Wayne County Community College, Wayne State University (Detroit)

Economy and Employers -
When the nearby Toledo Metropolitan Area and its commuters are taken into account, the region constitutes a much larger population center with an estimated 46 million people living within a 300-mile (480 km) radius of Detroit proper.

Metro Detroit has made Michigan's economy a leader in information technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing; Michigan ranks fourth nationally in high tech employment with 568,000 high tech workers, including 70,000 in the automotive industry. In April 2008, metropolitan Detroit's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent; by April 2009, it rose to 13.6 percent during the recession.

In 2004, led by Metro Detroit, Michigan ranked second nationally in new corporate facilities and expansions. From 1997 to 2004, Michigan was the only state to top the 10,000 mark for the number of major new developments. ^[24] Metro Detroit is a leading corporate location with major office complexes such as the Renaissance Center, the Southfield Town Center, and Cadillac Place with the Fisher Building in the historic New Center area. Both BorgWarner and TRW Automotive Holdings chose Metro Detroit for their new headquarters. Quicken Loans, National City Bank, Ernst & Young, GMAC, Visteon, and OnStar are sources of growth. Compuware, IBM, Google, and Covansys are examples information technology and software companies with a headquarters or major presence in Metro Detroit. Electronic Data Systems (EDS) makes Metro Detroit its regional headquarters, and one of its largest global employment locations. The area is home to Rofin-Sinar, a leading maker of lasers. The metropolitan Detroit area has one of the nation's largest office markets with 147,082,003 square feet.^[25] Virtually every major U.S company and many from around the globe have a presence in Metro Detroit. Chrysler's largest corporate facility is its U.S. headquarters and technology center in the Detroit suburb of Auburn Hills. Downtown Detroit reported $1.3 billion in restorations and new developments for 2006.

Public Transportation
Detroit People Mover, Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT), and Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART).



*** Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, MI (Part of Detroit's metro) Milken rank -198 Unemp = 14..9% Pop. 2,482,290
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 90.61 Rank: 195
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 86.75 Rank: 196
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 76.96 Rank: 189
Population Growth since 2000 - n/a
Largest City – Warren (As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 138,247, making Warren the largest city in Macomb County, the third most populous city in Michigan, and Metro Detroit's largest suburb)

Higher Education
The south campus of Macomb Community College, Davenport University, The Warren Center for Central Michigan University.

Economy and Employers -
MSX International, Inc. is an international company with headquarters in Warren, MI. Their staff works in productive environments, improving their skills through training and development programs, and achieve personal growth through career advancement.


26 Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH MSA Milken rank -193 Unemp = 10.0% Pop. 2,133,680
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 93.72 Rank: 188
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 81.32 Rank: 184
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 93.47 Rank: 133
Population Growth since 2000 - -2.79%
Largest City – Cleveland - As of the 2000 Census, the city proper had a total population of 478,403, and was then the 33rd largest city in the United States, (now estimated as the 40th largest due to declines in population) and the second largest city in Ohio

Higher Education
Baldwin-Wallace College (Berea), Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland), Cleveland College of Jewish Studies (Beachwood), Cleveland Institute of Art (Cleveland), Cleveland Institute of Music (Cleveland), Cleveland State University (Cleveland), Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland, Highland Hills, and Parma), Hiram College (Hiram), John Carroll University (University Heights), Kent State University (Kent), Lake Erie College (Painesville), Lakeland Community College (Kirtland), Lorain County Community College (Elyria), Myers University (formerly Dyke College) (Cleveland), Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (Rootstown), Notre Dame College (South Euclid), Oberlin College (Oberlin), Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (Cleveland), University of Akron (Akron), Ursuline College (Pepper Pike), Youngstown State University (Youngstown, Ohio)

Economy and Employers -
More than 37% of Fortune 500 companies are present in Northeast Ohio, through corporate headquarters, major divisions, subsidiaries, and sales offices. In addition, more than 150 international companies have a presence there. As of 2006[update], Northeast Ohio serves as the corporate headquarters of 25 Fortune 1000 firms.

(#112) Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (Akron, rubber), (#153) Progressive Insurance (Mayfield Village, insurance), (#184) FirstEnergy (Akron, utilities), (#210) Eaton Corporation (Cleveland, motor vehicle parts), (#213) National City Corporation (Cleveland, banking), (#279) Parker-Hannifin (Mayfield Heights, aerospace), (#311) Sherwin-Williams (Cleveland, paint), (#325) KeyCorp (Cleveland, banking), (#417) The Timken Company (Canton, specialty steel), (#486) Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, lubricants and chemicals), (#589) Nacco Industries (Cleveland, industrial equipment), (#671) Diebold (Green, electronics). (#674) PolyOne Corporation (Avon Lake, chemicals), (#678) RPM International (Medina, chemicals), (#704) Aleris International, Inc. (Beachwood, metals), (#765) The J.M. Smucker Co. (Orrville, food consumer products), (#825) American Greetings (Cleveland, greeting cards), (#839) Jo Ann Stores (Hudson, specialty retailer), (#846) Medical Mutual of Ohio (Cleveland, health insurance), (#878) Cleveland-Cliffs (Cleveland, mining and crude oil), (#888) Applied Industrial Technologies (Cleveland, bearings), (#922) Agilysis (Mayfield Heights, electronics), (#928) Lincoln Electric (Cleveland, arc welding equipment), (#955) Invacare (Elyria, medical products and equipment), (#995) A. Shulman (Akron, chemicals)

Other large employers include: Babcock & Wilcox (Barberton, engineering), Cafaro Corp (Youngstown, mall management and properties), Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland, health care), Developers Diversified Realty Corporation (Beachwood, real estate development), DeBartolo-York Corp (Boardman Township, Youngstown, mall management and properties), Exal Corp Aluminum Production (Youngstown, metals), FirstMerit (Akron, banking), Forest City Enterprises (Cleveland, real estate development), Gojo (Akron, chemicals), Home Savings and Loan (Youngstown, banking), IMG (Cleveland, sports marketing and management), Jones Day (Cleveland, legal services), Roadway Express (Akron, logistics), University Hospitals of Cleveland (Cleveland, health care), InkStop, Inc. (Warrensville Hts., office products retailer)

Public Transportation
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority operates a bus system and heavy and light rail in Cuyahoga County. Other transit agencies serve the surrounding counties and provide connections with RTA, including Laketran in Lake County, Metro in Summit County, SARTA in Stark County, and Lorain County Transit in Lorain County.


66 Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI MSA Milken rank -190 Unemp = 11.7% Pop. 776,740
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 94.66 Rank: 177
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 90.47 Rank: 188
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 80.54 Rank: 177
Population Growth since 2000 - +4.90%
Largest City – Grand Rapids (Pop. 193,396 as of 2008)

Higher Education
The city is also served for college by Grand Rapids Community College in downtown Grand Rapids. In Allendale, northwest of the city, is Grand Valley State University. Further universities can be found in Lansing, Big Rapids, and Kalamazoo. Also located in the immediate area is Hope College in Holland, Davenport University in Caledonia Township, Calvin College on the east side of Grand Rapids, Aquinas College also on the east side of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, along with Grace Bible College in the city as well.

As of 2006, there is an active movement among community leaders to have Michigan State University open a new medical school in Grand Rapids.[5]. Michigan State University College of Human Medicine will expand into downtown Grand Rapids. The College of Human Medicine is one of three fully accredited four-year medical schools at MSU, along with the College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Veterinary Medicine. On April 21, 2008, the Secchia Center medical education building, a $90 million, seven-story, 180,000-square-foot (17,000 m²) facility, began construction at Michigan Street hill and Division Avenue.

Economy and Employers -
Grand Rapids has long been a center for furniture and automobile manufacturing; however, the presence of both industries has declined in the region along with manufacturing in general. American Seating, Steelcase, Haworth and Herman Miller, major manufacturers of office furniture, are based in the Grand Rapids area. The surrounding area is noted for its fruit production. Due to its close proximity to Lake Michigan the climate is considered prime for apple, peach, and blueberry farming.

More recently the city has had some success in developing and attracting businesses focusing on the health sciences, with facilities such as the Van Andel Research Institute (primarily focused on cancer research), Grand Valley State University's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (undergraduate and graduate health-related programs, doctorate program in Physical Therapy, upcoming Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)), and Michigan State University's new Grand Rapids based Medical School.

Public Transportation
Public bus transportation is provided by the Interurban Transit Partnership, which brands itself as The Rapid. Transportation is also provided by the DASH buses: the "Downtown Area Shuttle". These provide transportation to and from the parking lots in the city of Grand Rapids to various designated loading and unloading spots around the city.


79 Toledo, OH MSA Milken rank -194 Unemp = 13.1% Pop. 650,960
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 92.95 Rank: 189
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 91.71 Rank: 185
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 88.83 Rank: 153
Population Growth since 2000 - +0.05%
Largest City – Toledo (Pop. 316,851 as of 2007)

Higher Education
University of Toledo, Davis College, Lourdes College, University of Toledo Medical Center, Mercy College of Northwest Ohio, Stautzenberger College, Toledo Academy of Beauty, Toledo Professional Skills Institute, Owens Community College, University of Findlay, Bowling Green State University, Terra Community College, Adrian College, The University of Michigan in nearby Ann Arbor and also several other smaller institutes.

Economy and Employers -
Historically, before the industrial revolution, Toledo was a port city on the Great Lakes. But with the advent of the automobile, the city became best known for industrial manufacturing, although these industries have declined considerably in past decades. Both General Motors and Chrysler have factories in metropolitan Toledo, and automobile manufacturing has been important at least since Kirk[21] began operations early in the 20th Century. The city is home to two Fortune 500 companies: Dana Corporation and Owens Corning. Another Fortune 500 company, formerly located at One SeaGate, is Owens-Illinois. O-I has recently relocated to suburban Perrysburg. One SeaGate is currently the location of Fifth-Third Bank's Northwest Ohio headquarters. HCR Manor Care is an up and coming Fortune 1000 company headquartered in Toledo. Though the largest employer in Toledo was Jeep for much of the 20th century, this honor has recently gone to the University of Toledo. Manufacturing as a whole now employs fewer Toledoans than does the healthcare industry, now the city's biggest employer


106 Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA Milken rank -196 Unemp = 11.3% Pop. 456,440
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 90.06 Rank: 196
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 91.61 Rank: 183
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 76.53 Rank: 190
Population Growth since 2000 - +1.92%
Largest City – Lansing - As of the July 1, 2008 Census Bureau estimate, it has a population of 113,968

Higher Education
Michigan State University, The Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University (branch campus in Delta Township), Davenport University, Central Michigan University (branch campus), and Great Lakes Christian College

Economy and Employers -
The Lansing metropolitan area's major industries are government, education, insurance, healthcare, and automobile manufacturing. Being the state capital, many state government workers reside in the area.

The recent decline of the auto industry in the region has increased the region's awareness of the importance of a strategy to foster the high-technology sector.

* An initiative called Prima Civitas, created by Michigan State University, in cooperation with the cities of Lansing and East Lansing, under the direction of former Lansing mayor David Hollister, is spearheading focused economic development in the technology sector in the region.
* Early availability of high-speed Internet in 1996, as well as the MSU, Cooley Law School, and LCC student population, fostered an intellectual environment for information technology companies to incubate.

Lansing has a number of technology companies in the fields of information technology and biotechnology.
* Neogen Corporation is an international food and animal safety company headquartered in Lansing. Neogen develops and manufactures among other things, diagnostic kits, equine vaccines and culture media.[24]
* Emergent BioSolutions is an international biopharmaceutical company that maintains significant operations in Lansing. Emergent BioSolutions is developing an array of biodefense and commercial products and currently manufactures the only FDA approved anthrax vaccine at its Lansing operations.[25] In March 2009 Emergent announced another $10.9 million investment in its Lansing facility and is adding 93 new employees.[26]
* TechSmith Corporation is located just outside Lansing and is the world's leading provider of screen capture and recording software for individual and professional use.[27]
* Liquid Web, Inc. is a web hosting company located in neighboring Delta Township, and operates two datacenters there.[28]
* Niowave is a high-tech company in Lansing that makes parts for superconducting particle accelerators.
* ACD.net is an independent company in Lansing that provides high-speed Internet service, Web hosting, telephone service and data storage to more than 20,000 customers across Michigan.
* IBM announced in January 2009 that it was opening its first U.S. programming center in the former MSU Federal Credit Union headquarters in East Lansing for application software for governments, universities, etc.

Public Transportation
Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides public transit bus service to the Lansing-East Lansing Metropolitan area on 33 routes. CATA boasts the second highest ridership in the state of Michigan after Detroit with 53,000 daily rides in September 2008 and 11,306,339 rides in fiscal year 2008.


111 Flint, MI MSA Milken rank -195 Unemp = 16.5% Pop. 434,720
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 87.61 Rank: 198
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 82.55 Rank: 200
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 78.20 Rank: 186
Population Growth since 2000 - -0.33%
Largest City – Flint - As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 124,943

Higher Education
University of Michigan–Flint, Kettering University (formerly known as GMI for General Motors Institute), Baker College, Mott Community College, Davenport University

Economy and Employers -
Flint is most known for being the birthplace of the General Motors Corporation. It has also become a symbol of the decline in the auto industry. The headquarters of Citizens Republic Bancorp. The last decade has opened on the final stages of large-scale General Motors deindustrialization. By 2002 Flint had accrued a $35 million debt. Unable to pay this and balance its budget, the state of Michigan placed the city into receivership late that year, with a financial manager effectively replacing acting mayor, City Administrator Darnell Earley. In 2004, local control was resumed and has maintained a balanced budget since.

In 2004, General Motors made multi-million dollar upgrades to three Flint factories: Flint Truck and Bus Assembly, Flint Metal Center, and Flint Engine South. Recent developments have also assured the operation of Delphi Flint East beyond 2007. Included in the proposed 2007 UAW-GM contract, a new engine plant will be built near Powertrain Flint North to begin production in 2011, replacing the current factory, which is scheduled to end production of the 3800 engine in 2008.

Delphi Automotive, Genesys Health System, McClaren Medical Center, Hurley Medical Center, Meijers (3 Retail Stores)

Public Transportation
For travel within and around the city, the Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) provides local bus services.


120 Canton-Massillon, OH MSA Milken rank -197 Unemp = 11.3% Pop. 407,180
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 989.90 Rank: 197
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 87.07 Rank: 194
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 74.08 Rank: 193
Population Growth since 2000 - +5.46%
Largest City – Hickory (according to a 2008 census estimate, the population has declined to 78,362)

Higher Education
Malone University, a private, four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Friends Church, is located on 25th St. N.W. Catholic-run Walsh University is located nearby in North Canton. Stark State College and a branch of Kent State University are also nearby, in Jackson Township. Also, in downtown Canton, there is a small annex for Stark State College to be used by the Early College High School students who attend Timken High School. The current principal is Valarie Pack.

Economy and Employers -
The Canton area's economy is primarily industrial, with a significant agricultural segment. The city is home to the Timken Company, a major manufacturer of tapered roller bearings and specialty steel. Several other large companies operate in the greater-Canton area, including are Belden Brick Company (brick and masonry producer) and Diebold (ATMs, electronic voting devices, and bank vaults). The area is also home to several regional food producers, including Nickles Bakery (baked goods), Park Farms (poultry) and Shearers (snack foods). Poultry production and dairy farming are also important segments of the Canton-area economy.

Public Transportation
Public transportation is provided by the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA).


138 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC Milken rank -191 Unemp = 15.4% Pop. 360,471
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 91.09 Rank: 193
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 86.91 Rank: 195
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 93.90 Rank: 130
Population Growth since 2000 - +5.46%
Largest City – Hickory (Pop. 42,000)

Higher Education – Lenoir-Rhyne University, Appalachian State – Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Western Piedmont Community College

Economy and Employers -
The Hickory area is home to many leading manufacturers of furniture (before most jobs in that industry were shipped over to China) and fiber optic cable. It is estimated that 60% of the nation's furniture used to be produced within a 200-mile (320 km) radius of Hickory. Forty percent of the world's fiber optic cable is made in the Hickory area. Lenoir is the headquarters of Broyhill Furniture company, one of the largest furniture companies in the United States and part of Furniture Brands International. It has historically been one of the town's largest employers. The Bernhardt and Fairfield furniture companies are also located in Lenoir. However, in the 1990s, these companies began outsourcing their work overseas, and they have closed many of Lenoir's furniture factories and laid off workers, causing many local businesses either to close or move to other cities. This has harmed the economy in Lenoir, leaving many households living below the poverty line.Google, Inc. has commenced construction of and opened a server farm in Lenoir. The move, it is hoped, will boost the local economy and provide much-needed jobs for the area, which has been harmed by outsourcing of furniture manufacturing jobs overseas.


141 Ann Arbor, MI MSA Milken rank -192 Unemp = 9.1% Pop. 350,003
5-yr Job Growth(02-06) 91.45 Rank: 192
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 93.05 Rank: 176
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 75.52 Rank: 191
Population Growth since 2000 - +8.44%
Largest City - Ann Arbor (7th largest city in Michigan, Pop. 114,024 as of the 2000 Census)

Higher Education
University of Michigan, Concordia University - Ann Arbor, a campus of the University of Phoenix, and Cleary University, Washtenaw Community College , Eastern Michigan University. Ave Maria School of Law

Economy and Employers –
The University of Michigan shapes Ann Arbor's economy significantly. It employs about 30,000 workers, including about 7,500 in the medical center. Other employers are drawn to the area by the university's research and development money, and by its graduates. High tech, health services and biotechnology are other major components of the city's economy; numerous medical offices, laboratories, and associated companies are located in the city.

Public Transportation - The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA), which brands itself as "The Ride", operates public bus services throughout Ann Arbor and nearby Ypsilanti.


171 Holland-Grand Haven, MI MSA Milken rank -199 Unemp = 12.9% Pop. 259,210
5-yr Job Growth (02-06) 94.66 Rank: 177
5-yr Wages & Salaries Growth Score: 90.47 Rank: 195
5-yr Relative HT GDP Growth (2002-2007) Score: 80.54 Rank: 188
Population Growth since 2000 - +8.77%
Largest City – Holland (the 2008 census estimate placing the population at 34,076)

Higher Education
Hope College, a private four-year liberal arts college, Western Theological Seminary a graduate and professional school, Western Michigan University has a branch campus in Holland. Grand Valley State University has a campus in Holland. Davenport University has a Regional campus in Holland

Economy and Employers -
Grand Haven has been a technology leader in West Michigan and throughout the country having been featured in the national media. The city holds the title as first municipality in the country to feature a city-wide wireless internet service. The wireless service is designed to work throughout the city and up to 15 miles (24 km) offshore for boaters. In 2004, the city started offering wireless internet service every day to residents, businesses and visitors.

The Hound sees more evidence that Hickory's problems are not everyone else's fault.

Look at where 10 out of the 11 worst performing cities are located. They are all centered around Detroit, Michigan and the automobile industry (shown in the map above). You can't say that these Michigan and Northern Ohio numbers are a recent phenomena in the the Auto Industry, because the rating scores are developed over five years. Maybe if we look at what has caused the collapse of the United States Automobile Industry and the lack of action by these local governments in Michigan and Ohio, then we will see a correlation between what has happened there and what is happening in the Hickory Metro.

What is more than clear is that our city's statistics show very little relation to what is happening to the vast majority of cities in the Southeast. The only city close to us, in the bottom 25, is Spartanburg, South Carolina (#183). The only other city in our region, in the bottom 50 is Columbus, Georgia. The previous article Hickory Metro's Economy versus North Carolina MSAs showed that our city is by far the worst in our own state and I explained my thoughts on what is causing our current circumstances in relation to our State.

For a city and MSA of our size, we have a lot to offer. I really don't think education, or lack there of, is the problem in our city. Five of the MSAs above (Detroit, Cleveland, Toledo, Lansing, and Ann Arbor) have major universities and other higher education institutions in their area. All but one of those MSAs (Ann Arbor) is suffering from double-digit unemployment.

I think that all of the areas above have problems when it comes to economic resiliency. In my opinion, we are fortunate that we don't have the problems with Unions and the lack of adaptability built into a Corporate Bureaucracy that is brought about by Unions. That should help us bounce back if the manufacturing sector of our economy were to ever evolve towards high-tech industry. The issue that we face is that many of our local Unifour employees have not been task flexible. They were basically taught "on-the-job" about specific tasks and not challenged to invest in their personal Human Capital. We have to instill an attitude amongst businesses and employees that they must constantly educate and train themselves in an ever-changing technical environment. The workforce is going to have to be flexible and willing and able to multi-task. This will increase employee value to employers in the area.

Small business will be where the majority of our area's jobs are going to come from in the future. Like these Industrial Automobile Economies in the Midwest, our local mindset has been too oriented towards the status quo, too conservative towards policy, and risk averse towards change. The auto crisis is the result of years of corporate-controlled government manipulation. Some people believe that the same mindset occurred in Hickory from the late 1990s until 2008. By the the time our local officials reluctantly admitted to the realization that we were going down the wrong path, it was too late to stop the train wreck of consequences we are now facing. In my opinion, they still haven't fully confessed and that confession is the first step towards solving our economic problems.

We must have local officials who will apply common sense principals toward policies of economic growth. Without good jobs, we cannot have a prosperous and vibrant community. We cannot have the cultural amenities that our privileged class covets. I do agree that businesses should be personally responsible towards setting a positive image for our community. If our local officials are fair and consistent when administrating policy, then businesses should adhere to the guidelines. Together everyone has a role to play in the collaborative process.

I believe that there has to be cooperation between businesses and local government. I also believe that in the past Hickory has seen a commercial environment that pitted government and business in roles as adversaries. This held our area back even in good times. In the end, both entities must work together for the good of our community and its inhabitants. Lately, I have heard communication that has me hopeful that we are taking the first steps towards a new era of cooperation. But in the end, it is actions that will count, isn't it?

We need to be laying a foundation now for the future.

There are many people who believe that the problem with the economy locally is that the national economy is bad and as soon as the national situation improves our problems will be over. While I agree that the national situation is the main culprit currently, we have structural problems here in Hickory that go beyond the national picture. And for the mayor, with the tacit approval of the City Council, to encourage our citizens to just wait apathetically until Obama delivers a healthy economy to us is irresponsible and just plain wrong.

Since the furniture and textile industries shed massive amounts of jobs at the turn of the millennium, our City has failed to recognize that we have to fundamentally restructure the economy of this area. Our leaders have been passive, just hoping that this may be the year things turn around for us. But the facts are that in the good years, Hickory ’s economy didn’t grow as fast as the U.S. as a whole. And when we had down years Hickory’s economy fell further than the U.S. as a whole. This is telling us all the story is not to be found in Washington D.C. And when the nation does rebound there is no reason to believe it will be any different.

I would like to point out some economic challenges we are going to face. First, our tax base has shrunk. Real estate values have dropped and a lot of machinery is no longer here. Our City budget has been cut and we have not filled some positions. Since there are fixed costs that can’t be cut, we don’t have a lot more room to cut, so there is an increasing threat that tax rates will have to go up to pay the bills we have to pay.

While our leaders crow about Target coming to Newton, Google coming to Lenoir, and Apple coming to Maiden, Hickory got a couple of call centers and it looks like one of them, a start up, is in trouble and it may not make it. It’s good for the area as a whole to attract businesses, but if they are not in Hickory , WE DON’T GET ANY TAX REVENUES. We have to rebuild our tax base and with the inconsistent attitude toward businesses, like my opponent, Mrs. Patton, who was against Lowes and initially against the Zagaroli project beside Clark Tire, we have sent mixed signals to the business community. WE NEED TO BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN HICKORY .

Secondly, our sales tax base in under threat. More products are being purchased on the internet. We don’t get sales taxes for that. Conover and Granite Falls now have Wal-Marts and are developing their retail business areas. Other communities near us can be expected to do the same. Unless we act we can expect a steady decline in the number and frequency of shoppers coming to Hickory and sales taxes will decline as well.

Thirdly, and maybe most sadly, our kids are leaving. As Thom Shell pointed out in a study posted on the Hickory Hound blog, the number of young folks in Hickory has only increased by approximately 100 in the last decade while the population of older residents has gone up by over 10%. Young people are the ones who bring energy, buy more goods and services and have children, so our future vibrancy is leaving Hickory for greener pastures.

Looking at these trends facing us, I think it is irresponsible, morally disgusting, and dangerous for City leaders to be encouraging apathy and passivity in the face of the known challenges we face, to say nothing of the unknown situations that will inevitably arise. We have to shout the alarm and wake this area up before we deteriorate any further.

We need to be laying a foundation now for the future. I don’t have the room to flesh out every idea but some of my ideas include:

* Develop an entertainment industry to attract people to visit Hickory. This would enhance our restaurant and retail as well as appeal to young people. Facilitate a water park, like Concord and Greensboro have, encourage a go-cart track, and maybe a mid-sized concert venue are possibilities.

* Encourage the development of broadband and tech based services.

* Try to develop relationships with the emerging new energy businesses in Charlotte. We should also partner with the County since they are already moving into biodiesel.

* Encourage local entrepreneurs. Help our local citizens who have ideas, but need mentoring in areas they don’t have skills in, like raising capital or market research.

We can’t be lulled into a false sense that all will be well when the recession is over. Our current leaders blame Obama and Perdue for our problems because they don’t want to be blamed for our malaise. But the U.S. didn’t build Hickory and the U.S. won’t revitalize and rebuild Hickory . We need new leadership and hard work.

Harry Hipps for Council