Exploring The Community Factor of Economic Resiliency

Resilience takes on many different meanings, but when we speak of the resilience of a market we are generally referencing the capability of that market’s capacity to respond, regroup and move forward, usually after an event or series of events that impede or encumber a market’s economic sustainability. The outcomes of a stable and performing market are indicated by its economic performance. Using economic indicators as a base, this study analyzes three markets as they recover from destabilizing events and attempt to respond, regroup and move forward. The study analyzes the Las Vegas, New Orleans and Detroit markets from an economic standpoint and measures the level of segregation in each of these areas. The study then explores if the segregation indices as a proxy for community continuity indicate higher economic recovery in the less segregated market

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Policy Decisions As It Relates to Community Development Block Grant Allocations

For decades urban centers across the country have experienced significant transition in demographics, population, composition of workforce, and the industries that constitute their economic base. The Federal Government has sought to address the issues of urban cites through a series of urban polices. This study explores one of the more prominent and sustained urban policies, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and evaluates a series of political factors on local decision making in the allocations of Community Development Block Grant dollars. Using path analysis, the research explores the statistical significance of social, economic and political factors combined with historical and governmental structures to determine if these factors affect the local decision makers and their allocations of CDBG funds. The study focuses on CDBG entitlement cities in the Chicago, IL Metropolitan Statistical Area and uses data from 2000 through 2012. Special consideration is paid to the growth patterns for the 22 cities in this research. The results of the study identified seven different factors that explain the variation in the decisions by local decision makers on CDBG allocations. In addition the study determined that these factors resulted in a series of combinations between both direct and indirect effects on CDBG allocations

A Seat at the Table: Minority Representation and County Governing Boards

This study focuses on minority representation on county governing boards to determine the extent of minority representation, and then to provide explanation for the exiting patterns in its representation. The dependent variable used in this paper is a count variable employing a Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial model. The results indicate that minority populations, counties located in the South, partisan elections, the size of county governing boards and urban counties have positive effects on increased minority representation, while at-large voting districts have a negative effect. Furthermore, it advances the need for greater research on county governing boards, county governments in general and a new agenda for the future study of minority representation on local governing bodies