Small-scale manufacturers tend to be more engaged in the local supply chain, contributing to economic revitalization.
A new small business survey from Main Street America reveals that small-scale manufacturers are a major driver of economic activity.
In an op-ed in Next City, Ilana Preuss uses the survey results to make the case that cities should do more to support small 'maker' businesses as part of their economic development strategy. According to the survey, "1% of maker businesses say that they supply goods to other local businesses as compared to 13% of non-makers." The survey also found that 69% of makers use local vendors as compared to 53% of other businesses.
For Preuss, "This data adds a vital new dimension to the extent of our understanding of the role of product businesses or small-scale manufacturers in economic revitalization. It also underscores the priority of investing in programming and space for these businesses that spend locally and invest locally — unlike national chains which are usually extractive and do not contribute to the creation of destinations because they are hardly unique."
FULL STORY: New Data Proves Small ‘Maker Businesses’ Can Revitalize Downtowns
The nation's 10 'stickiest' downtowns
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In the age of remote work, relying on major employers to boost a city’s economic fortunes may no longer be enough.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
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New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
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Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association