….Rather than focusing on tax breaks or other incentives, regions looking to grow their economy need to be investing in education, basic services and those “quality of life” things that make a place attractive.
A first step for any community, however, is to realistically assess its strengths and weaknesses, says Barry Bluestone, director of the Center for Urban and Regional Planning at Northeastern University.
….Bluestone also cautioned against putting too much stock in the latest fad, specifically the biotechnology and nanotechnology bandwagon.
Bluestone also says states should create clusters of regional economic activity where people can meet, share ideas and foster a positive atmosphere. The University Research Park in Madison would seem to qualify on that account.