Greater Louisville Project Releases 2010 Competitive City Report
Jun. 24, 2010
The 2010 Competitive City report focuses on three crucial “Deep Drivers” of community competitiveness: raising Louisville’s persistently low levels of education attainment; increasing the proportion of 21st Century technical and professional jobs in the economy; and strengthening the qualities of place that distinguish Louisville and secure its position as a vital regional hub.
In each area, the report documents stiff challenges and some progress. “In this tenth year since voters approved the referendum to redefine Louisville as a metro community, and as we move toward electing a new Mayor, it is important that we take stock of our progress and re-commit to the goal of making Louisville more competitive to attract talent, jobs, and opportunities,” said Carolyn Gatz, director of The Greater Louisville Project.
Key findings from the 2010 Report include:
- Education: Since 2000, the percentage of young adults with at least a bachelor’s degree has increased to 33% from 31%, moving Louisville up in the comparative rankings to 9th from 11th. But it is possible that this slow pace of improvement has now quickened. The latest data from the 2008 American Community Survey showed a significant jump to 37% -- the largest one-year growth among any of Louisville’s peer cities. Subsequent years will show whether or not that improvement will hold up as a positive trend.
- 21st Century Jobs: Job losses from the recession have far outpaced the growth of new jobs in the region, but there is a ray of good news: For the first time, last year, half of the 2,544 jobs that Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber of Commerce, helped bring to the region were in the professional and technical categories used as a proxy for growing 21st Century jobs.
- Quality of Place: Louisville’s share of the 13-county regional population has declined somewhat, but the city remains a relatively strong social and economic hub compared to its peer cities. It ranks high on some quality of place indicators, such as parkland, public safety, and cultural amenities, but low on others, including traffic congestion, environmental issues, and health indicators.
There is a role for every individual, family, businesses, place of worship, civic and neighborhood organiation in the effort to redefine Louisville as a competitive city for the 21st Century. The revamped "Action Network" catalogues intitiatives that are underway to attain the Deep Drivers of Change; visit and explore the Network if you're looking for a way to get involved.