This page is a compilation of current publications and speeches on the Great Lakes Economic Initiative—a multi-year research and policy development initiative in 2005 to improve the economic vitality of the Great Lakes region. Click on the links below to access reports, papers, speeches and transcripts.

Publications
Speeches


Publications:

America's North Coast: A Benefit-Cost Analysis of a Program to Protect and Restore the Great Lakes report September 5, 2007
This comprehensive analysis, America's North Coast: A Benefit-Cost Analysis of a Program to Protect and Restore the Great Lakes, by John C. Austin, Soren Anderson, Paul N. Courant, and Robert E. Litan, is a macro economic study of the Great Lakes region and the relationship between environmental quality improvements and economic benefit.

The Vital Center: A Federal-State Compact to Renew the Great Lakes Region report October 20, 2006
Despite its long leadership in manufacturing and business, assets like major universities, and abundant natural amenities, the Great Lakes region's industrial legacy has left it struggling to develop the human capital, entrepreneurial culture, and dynamic metropolitan regions needed to compete in the global economy. This report by John C. Austin and Britany Affolter-Caine examines the region's challenges, and calls for a new federal-state compact around a series of educational, economic, social, and infrastructure initiatives that can help the region reassert its global economic leadership.

Preserving the Vital Center: Renew the Economy of the Industrial Heartland paper February 28, 2007
America's Great Lakes region, once the core of the nation's industrial production and wealth creation, is losing ground rapidly. At this critical moment, federal investment in U.S. competitiveness lacks a regional focus. Federal policy fails to recognize that national growth is driven by integrated regional economies with the strong underlying assets necessary for talent creation and innovation. Bruce Katz and John C. Austin describe investment strategy that focuses on regional assets and institutions.



Speeches and Transcripts:

Summit of Midwestern Regional Chambers of Commerce, The Henry Ford, Dearborn Michigan February 11-12, 2008
The Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, joined by Presidents of Chambers of Commerce from Chicago, Detroit, Toledo, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, convened 45 CEOs and staff from 30 metropolitan chambers of commerce to develop and articulate national policy priorities that can best support the economic vitality of the Midwest region. The group discussion was informed by the analysis and agendas of the Brooking's Blueprint for Prosperity and Great Lakes Economic Initiative, and developed a 5-point policy program to inform this year's 2008 presidential campaign, and the work of the next Congress and Adminisistration.

Great Lakes Urban Exchange (GLUE) - Regional Convening of Great Lakes urban leaders Buffalo, New York January 31-February 2 2008
In Buffalo New York, over 50 young leaders from 18 Great Lakes urban communities came together to organize and plan for - GLUE a region-wide effort as to support a network of young leaders committed to revival of the "post-industrial" cities of the Great Lakes. The group planned the development and distribution of new media journalistic pieces on how to understand and develop Great Lakes cities to be vital urban centers attractive to young talent.

For more information and for coverage of the event see the GLUE website at www.gluespace.org

Economic Change & Opportunity : The Role of Natural Resources in the Economy, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, Chicago, Illinois  speech December 7, 2007
This national meeting for environmental legislators featured a presentation by John Austin on the economic importance of water and environmental features.

The Vital Center’ Revitalizing the Great Lakes Region: Economic Change and Opportunity in the Midwest - Midwest Natural Resources Group, Bloomington, MN  speech November 28, 2007
In this speech to Midwest-based federal and state government officials with purview over various aspects of natural resource stewardship, John Austin discusses the role of natural resources in economic prosperity.

The Vital Center’Revitalizing the Great Lakes Region: Economic Change and Opportunity in the Midwest - Commercial Real Estate Deal Maker Forum Cleveland, Ohio  speech November 20, 2007
John Austin was the featured keynote at the annual Cleveland business leadership gathering “Deal Maker Forum” and shared with the 300 business person audience the analysis and recommendations for Cleveland and the Great Lakes region emerging from Brooking's Blueprint for Prosperity and Great Lakes Economic Initiative.

The Great Lakes - An Economic Engine for the Nation  speech November 2, 2007
Capitol Hill Briefing -Washington D.C.
This briefing on Capitol Hill for Congressional Staffers details the role the Great Lakes region plays in national competitiveness and the major policy agendas that can support US and Great Lakes economic vitality.

Making a Great Lake Superior Conference, Duluth Minnesota  speech October 31, 2007
At this gathering of Lake Superior region elected and government officials, environmental and tribal leaders, John Austin described the opportunities for Duluth, Minnesota and the Lake Superior region to thrive in today’s global knowledge Economy.

The Vital Center’ - Techbelt Forum Youngstown State University  speech October 1, 2007
John Austin was the keynote speaker for a meeting of 200 business and civic leaders from Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, convened by Congressmen Tim Ryan (Cleveland) and Jason Altmire (Pittsburgh) to promote regional economic development collaboration.

Healthy Waters, Strong Economy  speech September 5, 2007
In this audio news conference presentation, Vital Center author John Austin discusses the importance of the benefits of restoring the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Future of the Great Lakes Economy Forum speech June 28, 2007
Vital Center author John Austin presented the project overview at the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brooking's Great Lakes forum. The first in a series of forums to highlight ways the federal government can help bolster the economic assets of the Great Lakes Region. John Austin's web cast presentation

Wisconsin Great Lakes State Legislative Caucus speech June 7, 2007
In this presentation, Vital Center author John Austin briefed Wisconsin's bi-partisan Great Lakes Legislative caucus, state officials, media, and invited guests from civic, business, environmental and labor leadership on the Great Lakes Economic Initiative.

Northwest Indiana Quality of Life Council speech June 1, 2007
In this presentation to 250 northwest Indiana civic and business leaders; who will use electronic polling to react to the analysis and prioritize recommendations for action, John Austin reviewed the Vital Center Analysis. A response panel featured Congressman Pete Visclosky (D-Indiana), John Clark, Special Assistant to Governor Mitch Daniels, and State Representative, Scott Pelath.

Smarter Niagara Summitt speech May 10, 2007
On May 10, Brookings Non-Resident Senior Fellow, John Austin delivered the keynote address at the "Four Pillars of Niagara Summit," a meeting of US and Canadian leaders from across the Buffalo/Niagara region to plan sustainabe growth strategies for the region.

The Great Lakes: A World-Leading Bi-national Economic Region speech March 28, 2007
In this presentation to a meeting of Canadian federal and provincial officials, Toronto area civic and academic leaders, and city officials, John Austin and Britany Affolter-Caine previewed the upcoming report on the bi-national Great Lakes regional economy and shared strategies for fueling economic growth across boundaries in the region.

Capitol Hill Briefing on the Great Lakes Economic Initiative speech March 5, 2007
Bruce Katz, Vice-President of the Brookings Institution, and John Austin, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, briefed House and Senate staff members invited by the Great Lakes Congressional Caucus Leadership, on the federal policy implications emerging from the Great Lakes Economic Initiative, and the Vital Center Report.

The Vital Center: Great Lakes Region's Return to Economic Dominance transcript February 8, 2007
In his presentation at the Public Policy Forum in Milwaukee, John Austin provides an overview of the Great Lakes Economic Initiative and discusses major findings from the framework paper entitled the Vital Center. This event was hosted by Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program, Center on Wisconsin Strategy, Greater Milwaukee Committee, and the Helen Bader Foundation. John also discusses

Renewing the Great Lakes Region speech October 23, 2006
In this speech at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, John Austin and Britany Affolter-Caine present the Great Lakes Economic Initiative and their major findings. They summarize the region's many assets that are central to U.S. competitiveness and also discuss how this "North Coast" region faces major challenges in transitioning from industrial to knowledge economy leadership.