Indianapolis

Masking Urban Weaknesses

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In a recent post I noted problematic city/suburb relationships that harm Midwestern cities and metros.  read more »

Envisioning Rust Belt Success

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My Defining Rust Belt Urbanism piece three weeks ago, in which I discuss the themes of what would drive Midwest urban rebirth, prompted a great question.  read more »

The Urban Doom Loop and Experiential Advantage

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Let’s talk about the “urban doom loop”.

There were quite a few pundits who believed that the Covid pandemic would be the catalyst for a profound transformation of cities.  read more »

The Future of Cities: Indianapolis

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Indianapolis was an unlikely candidate to emerge as a midwestern demographic and economic leader. It is an artificially created city, chosen by fiat as a centrally located capital for the state of Indiana.  read more »

Politicians Finally Embrace Need to Promote Region

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A critical mass of forces finally may be understanding the benefits of what I’ve been advocating for years: that separate political actors in Flyover Country unite to promote our region as a whole, rather than our cities and states always competing with one another for the fruits of economic development and government favor.  read more »

Is Pro-Life Bad for Business?

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Shortly after Indiana passed a new law restricting abortion, Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly condemned the law and announced that it would seek to expand outside the state.  read more »

Revisiting Mitch Daniels' "Truce" on Social Issues

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There’s a myth in Indianapolis Republican circles that goes something like this: back in the good old days, the Indiana GOP was made up of high minded, moderate statesmen from metro Indianapolis like Richard Lugar and Bill Hudnut.  read more »

Why the 'Old North' States Have Been Economic Laggards

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My latest column is now online at Governing. It is a recapitulation of my analysis in my American Affairs piece on Indiana  read more »

Indiana Under Republican Rule

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My latest article is in the Winter edition of American Affairs Journal. It's a detailed examination of Indiana under 16 years of Republican rule read more »

The Next Entrepreneurial Revolution

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The coronavirus pandemic has altered the future of American business. The virus-driven disruption has proved more profound than anything imagined by Silicon Valley, costing more jobs than in any year since the Great Depression.  read more »