Economic Development Corporation Research Articles

Recent Developments in Indiana Taxation Survey 2012

This Article highlights the major tax developments that occurred during the calendar year of 2012. Whenever the term “GA” is used in this Article, the term refers only to the 117th Indiana General Assembly. Whenever the term “Tax Court” is referred to, such term refers only to the Indiana Tax Court. Whenever the term “Court of Appeals” is referred to, the term refers only to the Indiana Court of Appeals. Whenever the term “Supreme Court” is referred to, the term refers only to the Indiana Supreme Court. Whenever the term “DLGF” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Whenever the term “IBTR” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana Board of Tax Review. Whenever the terms “Department” or “DOR” are used, these terms refer only to the Indiana Department of State Revenue. Whenever the terms “IC” or “Indiana Code” are used in the Article, these terms refer only to the Indiana Code in effect at the time of the publication of this Article, unless otherwise explicitly stated. Whenever the term “ERA” is used, the term refers only to an Indiana Economic Revitalization Area. Whenever the term “CAGIT” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana County Adjusted Gross Income Tax. Whenever the term “COIT” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana County Option Income Tax. Whenever the term “LOIT” is used, the term refers only to the Local Option Income Tax. Whenever the term “IEDC” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Whenever the term “CEDIT” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana County Economic Development Income Taxes. Whenever the terms “IRC” or “Code” are used, these terms refer only to the Internal Revenue Code in effect at the time of the publication of this Article. Whenever the term “Section” is used in this Article, the term only refers to a section of the Indiana Code, unless it is a reference to the Internal Revenue Code. Whenever the term “Public Law” is used, the term only refers to legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly and assigned a Public Law number. Whenever the term “PTABOA” is used, the term refers only to a Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.

Outsourcing Functions to Economic Development Corporations: Exploring the Perceptions of Officials in Ontario, Canada

In some communities in the Province of Ontario, Canada, economic development functions have been outsourced from departments within the city structure to external organizations such as economic development corporations (EDCs). This study takes an in-depth look at the activities of EDCs, with a focus on the rationale for outsourcing, EDCs’ policies and strategies, cooperative efforts, and the challenges EDCs face. The paper is based on extensive interviews with 21 CEOs/presidents of these corporations. The findings indicate that EDCs are typically private–public partnerships that exist at local and regional levels, that this approach is part of a comprehensive strategy to deal with the changing field of economic development and the uncertain global economy.

Progressive Cities and Critical Practice: Toward a Meeting of the Twain

Author(s): Pendall, Rolf | Abstract: Recent work in planning and political science has shown dura­ bility of liberal hopes for •progressive cities• (Clave! 1986, Clave! and Wiewel 1991, Deleon 1992, Goldsmith and Blakely 1992). In Chi­cago, New York, and San Francisco, long-dominant •pro-growth coali­tions• have fallen to alternative coalitions who tried to ensure that more resources reached or remained in hands of the community (Mollenkopf 1983 and 1993, Elkin 1987, Stone 1989, Deleon 1992, Clave! and Wiewel 1991). In practice, this diversion of resources tended to mean more power for resident-controlled neighborhood groups (Castells 1983), more resources for non-profit economic and housing development corporations (Mier and Moe 1991), more oppor­ tunities for public participation in local decision-making (Keating and Krumholz 1991 ), and constraints on large-scale real estate developers (Deleon 1992).

A New Bronx Tale: Gateway Center and Modern Urban Redevelopment

From the late 19 century until 1945, West Haven, a small manufacturing district in the Morrisania section of the Bronx, New York hummed as one of this city’s bustling industrial centers. After WWII, West Haven boundaries were marked by the Bronx Men’s House of Detention and Yankee Stadium at its north edge, industrial and commuter railroad yards at its eastern and southern rims, and the Major Deegan Expressway and Harlem River at its western edge. And by the mid-1950s this once thriving industrial center formed the western edge of one of the poorest sections of New York City; a section that would languish in blighted obscurity for almost 60 years. Promoting West Haven as a rehabilitation project held little interest for city planners until 2006 when a major redevelopment initiative, led by the development company, Related Companies, and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, supported by private investment, public dollars and a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), forged a public ⁄private partnership to meet the challenges of site placement, environmental deterioration and social stigma to revive the markets selling Caribbean and African foods housed in shabby buildings on the water’s edge of West Haven. Today, this project – Gateway Center at the Bronx Terminal Market (Gateway) – defines a glistening entrance to the South Bronx at its western shore, across the revamped 145 Street Bridge and renovated Major Deegan Expressway. The odyssey of this community from industrial hub to blighted core to renaissance retail center is today’s Bronx Tale of contemporary urban development driven by entrepreneurial enlightened selfinterest combined with the City’s commitment to rebuild the much maligned South Bronx, the community of my childhood, by applying sustainable construction principles to create an ecologically successful land use model for integrated retail infrastructure and open space. Community History: The Past Links to the Present

The Role of Economic Development Corporations in Local Economic Development

Since their establishment, city-level economic development corporations in Texas have grown in popularity as an ostensible means of providing for economic development. However, one knows little about the association between these economic development entities and the economic vitality of the areas they serve. Using a 2005-2006 survey of city leaders in Texas, along with Census data for 304 Texas cities, the authors investigate the association between the use of economic development corporations and the level of local unemployment. Results of the analysis indicate that economic development corporations have a reliable association with lower levels of unemployment; however, the activities of these entities matter. Lower levels of community employment are associated with activities that focus on industrial development. In contrast, the authors find no reliable relationship between the level of city unemployment and economic development corporations that engage in quality of life activities.

Recent Developments in Indiana Taxation Survey 2011

This Article highlights the major tax developments that occurred during the calendar year of 2011. Whenever the term “GA” is used in this Article, the term refers only to the 117th Indiana General Assembly. Whenever the term “Tax Court” is referred to, such term refers only to the Indiana Tax Court. Whenever the term “Court of Appeals” is referred to, the term refers only to the Indiana Court of Appeals. Whenever the term “DLGF” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance. Whenever the term “IBTR” is used, the terms refers only to the Indiana Board of Tax Review. Whenever the terms “Department” or “DOR” are used, these terms refers only to the Indiana Department of State Revenue. Whenever the terms “IC” or “Indiana Code” are used in this Article, these terms refer only to the Indiana Code in effect at time of the publication of this Article, unless otherwise explicitly stated. Whenever the term “ERA” is used, the term refers only to an Indiana Economic Revitalization Area. Whenever the term “CAGIT” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana County Adjusted Gross Income Tax. Whenever the term “COIT” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana County Option Income Tax. Whenever the term “LOIT” is used, the term refers only to the Local Option Income Tax. Whenever the term “IEDC” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. Whenever the term “CEDIT” is used, the term refers only to the Indiana County Economic Development Income Taxes. Whenever the terms “IRC” or “Code” are used, these terms refer only to the Internal Revenue Code in effect at the time of the publication of this Article. Whenever the term “section” is used in this Article, the term only refers to a section of the Indiana Code, unless it is a reference to the Internal Revenue Code. Whenever the term “Public Law” is used, the term only refers to legislation passed by the Indiana General Assembly and assigned a Public Law number. Whenever the term “PTABOA” is used, the term refers only to a Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals.

New York City's East River Ferry

All along New York City's premier waterfront, changes in zoning and land use have been implemented to spur economic growth in the region and revitalize areas that have seen years of decline. As regional growth continues, it is logical to look at waterways to accommodate these new developments and move New Yorkers efficiently and sustainably. However, to enhance the economic viability of ferry systems and warrant public and private investment, these systems must be incorporated into the overall economic planning efforts for the region. This paper focuses on the New York City Economic Development Corporation's East River Ferry pilot as a case study to show the importance of integrating transit planning into the economic development process. The New York City Economic Development Corporation's strategic approach was informed by several key sources: the Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study, lessons learned from evaluating prior services, and focus groups with residents from Brooklyn and Queens. This informed approach helped lead to a successful start to the pilot service. The collaborative process of engaging various stakeholders, initial grassroots marketing efforts, and continued outreach using traditional and social media are also essential to improving the quality of service and influencing the way people commute to work. The success of the East River Ferry service not only serves as a best practice for other geographic areas, but also lays the groundwork for additional subsidized pilot programs and services in New York City, so that a robust passenger ferry system can once again prosper in the region.

Collaborative Digital Techniques and Urban Neighborhood Revitalization

For social workers and community development practitioners, there are a host of new technologies that, when combined with participatory research techniques, can shed new light on the nuances of everyday life in disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. In this commentary, I suggest that this integration of technology and technique is particularly useful to community programs in urban areas that are increasingly marked by social, cultural, and economic complexity. Contemporary community revitalization programs emerge from a spectrum of social and economic discourses and are deployed across a heterogeneous range of urban neighborhoods (Ferguson & Dickens, 1999; Rubin, 2000; Vidal & Keating, 2004). As a professional practice, the field of community development has grown exponentially since the War on Poverty was declared in 1964--from early informal grassroots urban coalitions to today's formalized nonprofit organizations and community and economic development corporations (O'Connor, 1999;Vidal & Keating, 2004). The evolving structure and focus of the field has been based as much on social experimentation (for example, urban gardening, food cooperatives) as on federal and state policy pressure (for example, faith-based initiatives, empowerment zones, enterprise communities) (Ferguson & Stoutland, 1999; Rubin, 2000). However, although structural and programmatic evolution is ongoing, one constant has been the exceedingly complex nature of postindustrial urban space. COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AND THE COMPLEXITY OF URBAN SPACE Dear and Dahmann (2008) recently referred to multiple shifts in the practices of urban place production: demographic, economic, political, social, cultural, and virtual (p. 268). They argued that a conventional, singular urban lens returns an incomplete portrait of the urban landscape, stating specifically that population diversity is becoming the norm in contemporary cities and the conventional divide between Black and White in many American cities is being submerged by a minoritizing polity; that waves of immigration are altering practices of community and citizenship; that the principal tropes of contemporary urbanism include edge cities, privatopias, and other mutant urban forms; that the rise of post-Fordism and the network society are transforming urban economic geographies everywhere. (Dear & Dahmann, 2008, p. 268) In essence, Dear and Dahmann have walked us through a transformation of urban space (from the modern to the postmodern) that is simultaneously present in the sociocultural landscape, the urban economy, and the built environment. One consequence of this transformation is that the discourses and methods that we use to understand urban communities must be better equipped to distill meaning from complexity. This transformation is challenging for community development practitioners, social workers, neighborhood advocates, and academic researchers as the production of effective revitalization policies and programs is inextricably linked to the task of understanding the myriad social, economic, cultural, and ecological landscapes of a particular place. Drawing on existing secondary data sources to construct spatial narratives (particularly those that are used to frame revitalization policy) is unlikely to produce desired results. And, as Sherraden, Slosar, and Sherraden (2002) suggested, in the writing of social policy, success hinges on creativity and requires a broad perspective and a determined search for alternative approaches (Sherraden et al., 2002, p. 210). Since Kretzmann and McKnight's work in the early 1990s on asset-based community development (ABCD), there has been considerable momentum both in theory and in practice to build and revitalize places using a foundation of existing place-bound assets and capacities (Ferguson & Dickens, 1999; Kretzman & McKnight, 1993). Similarly, the notions of participation and empowerment occupy a prominent position in the community worker's toolkit as they have become ubiquitous elements in both large and small comnmnity programs (Chaskin, Joseph, & Chipenda-Dansokho, 1997; Dennis, Gaulocher, Carpiano, & Brown, 2009). …

Modeling The Performance Evaluation Of Local Investment And Economic Development Corporations

The purpose of this research is to propose an overall performance evaluation model for local development companies that takes into account social, financial and operational aspects. While there are many ways to evaluate business performance, few make it possible to take into account all the objectives of the organization. After reviewing the literature on the topic, we developed a model that uses a surface measurement to classify organizations. We then applied this model to the Société locale d’investissement et de développement d’emploi du Québec (SOLIDEQ), which itself comprises 84 SOLIDEs. The mission of these organizations is to provide venture capital to regional companies. As an arm of a labor-sponsored venture capital corporation, the SOLIDEs must obtain a return on investment commensurate with the risk incurred, achieve local development objectives such as job creation and maintenance, and lastly, manage operations wisely given that the management committee consists of volunteers. The study results show that our model can be effectively used to measure the performance of each SOLIDE and to create a classification that takes into account all their objectives.

Regional Advanced Manufacturing Academy: An Agent of Change

Three Northeast Texas community colleges put aside service delivery areas and matters of “turf” to create Centers of Excellence that provided training throughout a nine county area. This consortium; along with 14 manufacturers, seven economic development corporations, and the regional workforce board, led the change in training a highly skilled workforce while reducing instructional expenditures for each college. Over 1250 individual workers received over 33,000 hours of training to prepare them to compete in the global economy. The Regional Advanced Manufacturing Academy (RAMA) has become a leading change agent in the way colleges and businesses can collaborate to improve the quality of workforce development while reducing the costs of operation.

Understanding Interdisciplinary Health Care Teams

In the report "Five Years After 'To Err is Human' ", it was noted that "the combination of complexity, professional fragmentation, and a tradition of individualism, enhanced by a well-entrenched hierarchical authority structure and diffuse accountability, forms a daunting barrier to creating the habits and beliefs of common purpose, teamwork, and individual accountability for successful interdependence that a safe culture requires". Training physicians, nurses, and other professionals to work in teams is a concept that has been promoted by many patient safety experts. However the model of teamwork in healthcare is diffusely defined, no clear performance metrics have been established, and the use of simulation to train teams has been suboptimal. This paper reports on the first three years of work performed in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Tri-Corridor life science grant to apply concepts and processes of simulation design that were developed in the air carrier industry to understand and train healthcare teams. This work has been monitored by the American Academy for the Advancement of Science (AAA) and is based on concepts designed in the Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) from the air carrier industry, which trains and assesses teamwork skills in the same manner as technical skills. This grant has formed the foundation for the Center of Excellence for Simulation Education and Research (CESR).

Social economy-based local initiatives and social innovation: a Montreal case study

This paper analyses the role of social economy-based local actors in developing social innovation in Montreal. On the basis of a case study in the garment industry, the paper analyses the role played by community economic development corporations in the economic and urban reconversion in the city. The paper has five sections: 1 the problems and the issues facing Montreal’s garment industry 2 the theoretical concepts used in the analysis, i.e., proximity, social innovation, and governance 3 a brief introduction of community economic development corporations (CDEC) in Montreal 4 presentation of a case study in which a CDEC promotes the implementation of a fashion designers’ cluster in a Montreal neighbourhood 5 the analysis of the specific role played by the CDEC in the development of this cluster. The paper shows that innovation is not the exclusive playing field of high-tech sectors and aims to expand our vision of innovation to include stakeholders who mobilise resources that are not academic but rather the result of institutionally and locally-based learning.

Using institutional theory and resource-based perspective to aid transformation of housing-related public enterprises in Malaysia

There is a political will to transform public enterprises in Malaysia, beginning with 15 of the largest and most prominent government-linked companies. Some of these public enterprises are involved in the delivery of housing. Transforming organisations is about change. This paper makes the assertion that the institutional theory and resource-based perspective, in combination, aid in systematically identifying the agents of change of these public enterprises. Having tracked down the agents of change, the transformation plan can then be devised properly. The State Economic Development Corporations (SEDCs) were used to test this proposition. It was found that the main change agents for the SEDCs were the political masters (both at the state and federal government levels) and private developers. The transformation plan for the SEDCs might include separating ownership and management to minimise political interference of their day-to-day operations. In relation to private developers, the transformation plan might give emphasis on serving the housing needs of the well-to-do while not abrogating the social obligation of delivering housing to the poor. To compete against the private developers, the transformation plan might also re-orientate the SEDCs to perform just as efficiently.

Assessing Residents’ Quality of Life in Malaysian New Towns

One of the ultimate aims of a new town development is quality of life. This paper is based on a perception survey that was carried out to evaluate the level of quality of life experienced by the people living in 13 new towns developed by the State Economic Development Corporations in Malaysia. The analysis sought to uncover information relating to community life which was specifically planned to provide a good quality of life for its inhabitants continuously until the completion of the development. The research showed that from the indicators used in the analysis it can deduced that new towns developed by the State Economic Development Corporations were generally accepted by the residents as providing satisfying living environment. The findings of this research could be used to address the future development of new towns. The findings will be useful in determining the physical planning and quality of life indicators for sustainable development.

Guru interview with Marsha Firestone

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an interview with Dr Marsha Firestone, Founder and President of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO), to elicit her expert views on the support available to women entrepreneurs and the obstacles which are typically faced by businesswomen in start‐up enterprises and in a wider corporate context.Design/methodology/approachThe interview was conducted via telephone in June 2008 by Helen Evans, Assistant Publisher for the International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship.FindingsDr Firestone points to an aim towards economic security as the keystone of women‐led enterprises. She identifies the common trait of entrepreneurial women as the drive to succeed, often breaking the rules and coming up with better ways of doing things. Support for women entrepreneurs comes from role models and from associations such as the WPO who work to connect women entrepreneurs throughout the world. Dr Firestone criticizes some areas of the Media for their unrelenting focus on the work of women in leadership roles in corporations. The paper goes on to describe the WPO 2008 Conference and Dr Rebecca Henderson's workshop which won best workshop prize.Originality/valueMarsha Firestone is the Founder and the President of the WPO. Dr Firestone was previously Vice President of Women Incorporated and of Training and Counseling at the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation. She has published research on adult learning theory, nonverbal communication and managerial competency, appearing in both business and educational journals, and The Busy Woman's Guide to Successful Self‐employment, an interactive, easy to read resource. This interview is an opportunity to gain an insight into her expert views of the state of women's entrepreneurship.

Development Strategy and Physical Characteristics of New Towns in Malaysia

The development strategy and physical characteristics adopted for the new towns developed by the State Economic Development Corporations in Peninsular Malaysia were to fulfill the Malaysian Government’s vision. The Federal and the State Governments play an important role in quality social programs. This research presents the analysis and the synthesis of data collected from six selected State Economic Development Corporations involved in new town development. The research focus on various aspects including the background of each new town, the land use distribution and the development progress of thirteen new towns. The evaluation was made on all new towns and their achievements were compared. The creation of new towns by the State Economic Development Corporations was to satisfy the national policy where the social service objectives supersede the profit making objectives. The research found that the development of new towns by the State Economic Development Corporations in Peninsular Malaysia proven some success.

A Street Management Framework for Lower Manhattan in New York City

Lower Manhattan (LM) is America's fourth-largest central business district and one of the oldest and densest areas in New York City. It is also New York City's fastest-growing residential neighborhood and contains some of the highest levels of pedestrian, transit, and vehicular activity in America. Since September 11, 2001, redevelopment has dramatically transformed the area into a vibrant 24/7 live–work–visit community. The changes present an unprecedented opportunity to create a more livable and environmentally sustainable neighborhood by reducing traffic and managing parking while giving residents and employees better, greener mobility options. Consequently, the city is focused on finding new ways to manage competing demands for different uses of limited street space. Improving street management is paramount to improving the quality of public space and speeding LM's revitalization. In 2004, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation funded the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Transportation to contract Arup to undertake a multi-year comprehensive planning study to consider ways to reduce traffic congestion, manage placard parking, and create complete streets and engaging public spaces in LM. This paper discusses the necessity for and development of a proposed street management framework to help guide the city in meeting the transportation and public realm needs of LM's residents, employees, tourists, and businesses. As of October 2008, the project is ongoing; the proposed framework is still conceptual and has not yet been implemented.

Activated T Cells (ATC) Armed with Anti-CD3 X Anti-Her2/Neu Bispecific Antibody (Her2Bi) Is a Potent Immunomodulator

In our ongoing phase I dose-escalation trial in women with metastatic breast cancer, multiple infusions of ATC armed with Her2Bi (aATC) induced elevated levels of IL-2, IFNγ TNFα, GM-CSF, and IL-12 as well as the development of cytotoxic activity directed at breast cancer cell lines lasting up to 4 months (Grabert et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2006). These results suggested that aATC infusions “vaccinated” the endogenous immune system of the patients. In this study, we explored mechanisms of the increased cytotoxicity after immunotherapy with armed ATC by testing for cell-mediated cytotoxicity and in vitro anti-tumor antibody synthesis. We co-cultured irradiated aATC with fresh PBMC in presence or absence of SKBR3 for 7 days, collected the PBMC, and tested for cytotoxicity in MTT and Cr51 release assays directed at SKBR3, Daudi and A-431 cell lines. PBMC mediated high levels of non-specific cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines and there were no phenotypic changes in the PBMC after 7 days of co-culture. When PBMC were co-cultured with irradiated aATC and SKBR3 for 21 days in presence of IL-2, the B cells in the PBMC produced significantly higher amounts of specific Abs directed SKBR3 (ELISA for antibodies binding to SKBR3) compared to PBMC co-cultured with SKBR3 alone. CpG ODN type C augmented in vitro anti-SKBR3 Ab synthesis. These studies show that Her2Bi-armed ATCco-cultured with PBMC enhanced nonspecific cytotoxicity and induced in vitro specific antibody synthesis directed at SKBR3 cells. Evidence that Her2Bi armed ATC can induce a vaccination response is supported by dendritic cell (DC) loading experiments in which aATC were transiently mixed with SKBR3 cells to generate tumor lysate. IL-4 and GM-CSF generated DC were exposed to the lysate for 24 h, washed, and co-cultured with fresh PBMC for 14 and 21 days. At the end of co-culture, cytotoxicity assays against SKBR3 increased markedly whereas cytotoxicity directed at Daudi targets was low. In addition, there were considerable levels of Abs directed to SKBR3 in the supernatants of PBMC co-cultured with DC loaded with SKBR3 lysate, but not with DC loaded with SKBR3-culture media or RPMI alone. These studies established that the lysate produced as a result of aATC cytotoxicity against SKBR3 is immunogenic for DC. In summary, when PBMC were co-cultured with DC exposed to SKBR3 lysate, there was induction of specific cytotoxicity and in vitro tumor specific Abs synthesis. Together with experiments involving primary co-cultures of irradiated aATC, PBMC, and SKBR3, our studies show that there are both non-specific and specific cellular and humoral responses generated as a result of co-culture with Her2Bi armed ATC. These studies provide evidence that aATC infusions can induce both specific and non-specific cellular, humoral, and cytokine responses from the endogenous immune systems of patients.Please credit the grants R01CA92344, 5P30CA022453-25, 1819 from Michigan Economic Development Corporation and 6066-06 from Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Economic Development, Education and Transnational Corporations

Economic Development, Education and Transnational Corporations

Explanations for the Proliferation of Economic Development Corporations Across North Dakota and South Dakota

The rural areas of the United States have experienced a proliferation of quasigovernmental institutions over the past three decades. The formation of such institutions represents an important form of local boundary change. Local boundaries determine service delivery, economic development, and intergovernmental relationships. It remains unclear, though, how the process of boundary change unfolds. Using federal and state data, I examine the ability of four general explanations of boundary change to account for the proliferation of economic development corporations across North Dakota and South Dakota. I find that their creation is not driven by economic change or need, but is more associated with property taxes per capita.