AltWeeklies Wire
How Do You Take the Rust Out of the Rust Belt?new
It's a question politicians and policymakers have been asking themselves for years. Now, with a new administration in the White House and stimulus money at the ready, local lawmakers and nonprofits are looking for ways to funnel some much-needed capital into revitalizing Great Lakes cities.
Why is Orlando Slashing Public Safety Budgets When It's Got $105 Million in the Bank?new
Records show that the City of Orlando has nearly $105 million in its operating funds reserve, money set aside to save the city from economic calamity. To many, these look like the rainy days the reserve funds are intended for, but the city doesn't agree.
Orlando Weekly |
Jeffery C, Billman |
06-11-2009 |
Economy
Overcoming Illness Is Only Half the Battle for Cash-Strapped New Mexicansnew
Through outreach work, Health Action New Mexico has discovered common scenarios that force people to fall into the trap of insurmountable health costs.
Weekly Alibi |
Simon McCormack |
06-09-2009 |
Economy
Michigan Communities Use HUD Dollars for Demolition, Rehab and Ownershipnew
In Michigan, the HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program is funding projects aimed at offsetting some of the harmful effects that foreclosed and vacant properties have on neighborhoods, as well as increasing home ownership and redevelopment.
Metro Times |
Sandra Svoboda |
06-09-2009 |
Economy
Buffalo or California: Which Is the Better National Bellwether?new
It's now reasonable, and not far-fetched, to expect fiscal chaos in state and local governments in the next two years. Here's what fiscal chaos means: more Californias.
Notes from San Antonio's Underground Economynew
San Antonio is engaged in a vast and diverse "shadow economy," a bajillion financial transactions by countless folks whose necessities are paid for through means not accounted for by the GNP, not measured in the Dow Jones, and usually not registered with the IRS.
San Antonio Current |
Sarah Fisch |
05-20-2009 |
Economy
High-Interest Lending Is a Poorly Regulated, Billion-Dollar Business in Texasnew
In low-income neighborhoods across Texas, payday lenders are popping up on street corners and major thoroughfares at a rapid pace. During the economic downturn, these companies are racking up record profits.
The Texas Observer |
Melissa Del Bosque |
05-13-2009 |
Economy
Looking for Work in South Texasnew
Economists now say the Rio Grande Valley may ride out the economic crisis more comfortably than the rest of the U.S. Despite such optimism, the region is still plagued by the same structural problems that have long depressed its economy.
The Texas Observer |
Kevin Sieff |
05-13-2009 |
Economy
Bank Sit-Downs Could Prevent Foreclosure Scamsnew
How can Oregon prevent 14,000 foreclosures? Sit-downs.
The Portland Mercury |
Sarah Mirk |
05-07-2009 |
Economy
A System of Give and Take Emerges -- Just in Time for the Hard Timesnew
Kim Hodge wasn't looking for a way to deal with hard economic times when she decided to start a "time bank" in a Detroit suburb.
Metro Times |
Curt Guyette |
05-05-2009 |
Economy
Time to Get Rich Quick (Again) With NYC Real Estatenew
On the same day that Bernie Madoff pled guilty to the biggest investment fraud in Wall Street history, I was intrigued to find a full-page ad with the blaring headline: "HOW TO GET YOUR SHARE OF TODAY'S TRILLION DOLLAR RECOVERY."
New York Press |
Joseph Huff-Hannon |
04-23-2009 |
Economy
Tags: real estate, recession
It's Easy for a Homeowner's Payments to Fall Through the Cracksnew
Nancy Perez discovered that the worst thing to happen to her home was not a fire, but mismanagement among the mortgage servicers -- the companies charged with collecting monthly payments -- on her $76,000 loan.
Houston Press |
Craig Malisow |
04-08-2009 |
Economy
Colorado Springs Assembles Emergency Plan to Save Olympic Committee Projectnew
Until funds were produced to renovate the Olympic Training Center, the USOC wouldn't sign a lease for its new Colorado Springs office building. And until the USOC was in, the city wouldn't go millions into debt. This charade couldn't go on forever. And the city has decided to end it.
Colorado Springs Independent |
J. Adrian Stanley |
04-07-2009 |
Economy
The New Gold Rushnew
As the economy tanks, doomsayers and commodity traders say it's time to invest in the shiny stuff.
New Haven Advocate |
Nathan Paluck |
04-07-2009 |
Economy
Students Pitch Budget Cuts to Washington Governornew
Washington students' message to Gov. Chris Gregoire: Cut your friends, not our schools.
Seattle Weekly |
Rick Anderson |
04-06-2009 |
Economy
