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This is the story of David Humphreys' efforts to plan and develop America's first sustained and successful woollen textile mill and village in the United States beginning in 1806. Informed by the debates over the future economic direction of the new nation, his efforts represented a coalescence of the pro‐agricultural thoughts and ideas commonly espoused by the Democratic‐Republican Party and the pro‐manufacturing positions of Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists. The Humphreysville experiment showed that America could competitively manufacture high‐quality woollen goods; factory‐based manufacturing could be undertaken in a healthy, safe, and moral community; and agricultural and industrial interests could be combined for the public welfare. Moreover, Humphreysville was intended to be a model village where economic, social, and cultural aspects of the community were just as important as the economic production of cloth. Many of the elements of the social planning found in Humphreysville were later applied in the Slater‐Rhode Island and Waltham‐Lowell systems of textile mills and settlements throughout the nineteenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shawsheen, a model mill village planned and built in Andover, Massachusetts, between 1906 and 1924, was based on the vision of William Wood, then president of the American Woolen Company. It was arguably the most unique textile mill village ever built in New England. The article begins with a discussion of the motivation for the project. It then shifts to a summary of the critical features of Wood's vision and identifies the historic institutional paths that informed him. This is followed by an analysis of how the plan was successfully implemented and an explanation of what happened to Shawsheen over time. The article ends with an interpretation of the significance of the Shawsheen experience in the context of the history of New England mill towns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The book "Putting Skills to Work: How to Create Good Jobs in Uncertain Times" by Nichola Lowe explores the decline of skill development opportunities in the United States and its impact on the workforce. The author argues that the responsibility for skill development has shifted from businesses to educational institutions, resulting in new workers entering the workforce without the necessary skills. Lowe presents her findings based on research, field work, and interviews with various stakeholders, highlighting the role of workforce intermediaries in addressing the skill gap. The book also discusses the importance of inclusive innovation and the potential for technology companies to create good jobs. However, the author acknowledges that the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial viability of companies involved in skill development are areas of concern. Overall, the book provides valuable insights for policymakers, economic development planners, and individuals interested in labor studies and economic development. [Extracted from the article]

Harbour communities on both sides of the Atlantic are undergoing dramatic change. These changes are being brought about as a result of trade agreements, environmental factors, marketing trends and consumer preferences, among other factors. At the same time, these ports are fragile. They are old, full of history and culture, have dated infrastructure systems and must struggle to meet new transport and production technologies. The thesis of this paper is that harbour communities must have a strong, planned sense of direction if they are to remain economically and culturally important. This direction must be guided by a long-term comprehensive plan which addresses how water-dependent, water-related and other activities can be functionally and aesthetically integrated. It must also relate to the question of how harbours are controlled and planned. This transatlantic study evaluates ports and waterfront revitalisation with a particular emphasis on long-term economic and cultural sustainability. It identifies connections and tensions in port-city relationships, differences in government responses between North America and Europe, key factors that are important in the revitalisation of these important, yet fragile, places. These factors include aspects of land use – compatibility and sustainability; marketing and promotion; regulatory environment – physical and environmental conditions, and notions of trade and international competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assesses the importance of accountability in economic development. Concept of accountability; Allocation of public tax dollars; Use of benchmarking techniques in economic programs.

This article analyzes the debate concerning the problems, approaches, and intent of industrial policy as it relates to the working planner. It begins with a search for a definition. From there the authors set forth a rationale for such a policy and lay out the key characteristics typically proposed by its advocates. The critical dimensions in the debate are then reviewed. Finally, the potential impacts of various policy options upon local planners are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]