Consultant Forum–Louisville
June 1st, 2009
I am participating in Area Development’s Consultant Forum at the Louisville Seelbach Hotel the next few days. If you are unfamiliar with such events, basically the sponsor brings in 10–12 consultants and economic development pros pay to hear them make presentations and then have the opportunity to network with them during receptions, meals, roundtables, etc.
Here are few tidbits from this mornings sessions:
- when compared with global competitors, the US is extremely competitive with everyone until income tax is figured in then we are completely out of the equation (Matt Jackson, Cushman & Wakefield);
- China spends $8 BILLION a year on port improvements; the US has spent $25 billion since 1945 (Tim Feemster, Grubb & Ellis);
- As gas prices increase again, expect to see more focus on smaller, regional distribution centers (Feemster);
- Stimulus Package—”It does not stimulate as advertised. It is more social development than economic development” (Jim Rounds, SVP & Sr. Economist, Elliott D. Pollack & Co.);
I’ll post more from the afternoon sessions shortly.
