TIF in Michigan

Chuck Eckenstahler has written a good article explaining Tax Increment Financing in Michigan. The State is considering abolishing TIF. In this tough economic time that would be a major mistake.

Click to read the Article

Declining Birth Rate

CDC says US births have been declining for three years

"The US CDC released a statement saying that "The broad-based decline in births and fertility rates from 2007 through 2009 is now well-documented."

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Did Gender Inequality Start With the Plow?

"From a pair of Harvard economists, Alberto Alesina and Nathan Nunn, and a UCLA business school professor, Paola Giuliano, comes this working paper (Abstract here and below; full version here) that tests the hypothesis that current gender role differences can be traced to shifting methods of agriculture, particularly the introduction of the plow, which required significant upper body strength, grip
strength, and burst of power that favored men over women."

READ MORE »

From the Freakonomics Blog http://www.freakonomics.com/blog/

Starting Over? Come to Peoria

Starting over? Come to Peoria

According to MSN Real Estate, Peoria is one of the ten best places for starting over; i.e., Peoria is one of “10 midsize to large cities with the best job prospects and most affordable mortgage payments.” The list is:

Scranton-Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas
Kalamazoo-Portage, Mich.
Rochester, N.Y.
Oklahoma City
Peoria, Ill.
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, Ark.
Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Bristol, Va.
Columbus, Ohio
Fort Wayne, Ind.

Click to Read the Story:

It just so happens that I have a fine historic home for sale in Peoria where you can start over.

http://historichighstreet.blogspot.com/

Compare the home of President and Michelle Obama with the home of Beth Ruyle Hullinger and Craig Hullingerand his wife reportedly paid $1,650,000 for their Chicago home, while you can buy our home in Peoria for $275,000.

Advantage Peoria!!

Move to Peoria, Illinois

Great City - Great Housing Values - Play in Peoria

http://movetopeoria.blogspot.com/

Top 10 States With Highest Growth Potential

United States Community / Economic Development Innovation Technology The Atlantic

South Dakota # 4

Posted by: Jeff Jamawat

Citing data from the Chamber of Commerce, The Atlantic releases its top picks based on their capacity for growth and innovation. Alaska, North Dakota, and Wyoming come out on top.

The gargantuan energy industry of Alaska propelled the nation's largest state to land the No. 1 spot.

Senior editor Derek Thompson explains:

"Alaska, a low-tax, low-regulation state that thrives mostly because of what's in the ground: oil, gas, and trees. Alaska might not invent the world's next aorta gadget, but in the last few years, it's led the country in growth."

Click to Read the Full Story: The 10 Best U.S. States for Growth and Innovation

Source: The Atlantic, June 24, 2011

Mark Twain Humor

"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it."

Mark Twain

Thanks to Ken Zalga for sharing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain

South Dakota Sink Hole

It happened Tuesday morning in Lyman County, South Dakota.

Heavy rains triggering a sinkhole which swallowed two vehicles and ended up claiming two lives.

· Flash flood creates deadly sinkhole near Reliance