ECD

The Woes and Potential of the Midwest

Richard C. Longworth has written a book titled: Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism. This sobering and provocative book paints a fairly break picture of the Midwest. Salvation, according to Longworth, will require several things to happen, including (a) the creation of a regional identity and (b) embracing regional cooperation. The latter will require Midwesterners and their leaders to stop thinking so much in terms of state boundaries, and other artificial jurisdictional boundaries.  He points to the success of "the South" during the past 30 years or so; and the role played by the Southern Growth Policies Board as the type of entity that would make sense for the Midwest. 

Capital Comments Podcast: Farmland Assessments Will Keep Increasing

Purdue Economist Larry DeBoer's latest Capital Comments podcast is now available. Go here for the latest installments about farmland assessment.

Seymour Indiana is Capitalizing on their Assets: Maple Syrup

A couple of years ago, a few folks in tiny Medora, Indiana looked around and realized that no one in the U.S. had a National Maple Syrup Festival so they started one. They took a look at the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsbugh, TN to learn a thing or two about how a small town could take on such an ambitious project. They held their first festival in 2008 and 2009 is looking to be an even bigger event. One significant addition this year is a bake-off sponsored by Clabber Girl. If you would like to see more information about the festival go here.