Monday, May 14, 2007

The Path to Prosperity: A Policy of Investment

Creating a talented workforce is a key strategy in gaining a competitive advantage for regional economies in the United States and abroad.  With heightened competition for public resources, an invigorated federal-state effort investing in human capital-building enterprises will increase states' capacity while enhancing personal and societal prosperity.

With intense competition at the forefront of the global knowledge-based economy, the United States must embrace a strategy of building a skilled workforce.  In the New Economy, the flow of capital - in all its forms- coalesces around regions that have high concentrations of talent.  Despite evidence that skilled workers are a vital element of regional economic prosperity, access to and the affordability of quality higher education has eroded.  This is due to reduced investment by states and the federal government, as well as heightened cost pressures of college and university operations. More visibility must be raised of the connection between state and regional workforce capacity and economic and social prosperity, and the cycle of growth that is created by public investment in higher education.

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