#247. “Roadblocks to Economic Recovery”

I am particularly looking forward to the keynote address by Richard Longworth, a senior fellow at the Chicago Council of Global Affairs. He is also author of the critically acclaimed book Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism. In addition, Mr. Longworth is the leading critic on the state of the Midwestern economy, and will address the challenges the Midwest faces as it attempts to recover from the general collapse of its traditional manufacturing and family farm based economy.I will respond to Mr. Longworth by presenting my formula for economic recovery based on my 7 ½ Keys, as outlined in Boomtown USA – The 7 ½ Keys to Big Success in Small Towns. Following my presentation and a short rebuttal session, a panel of government leaders and experts representing federal, state and municipal interests will pose questions to Mr. Longworth and myself.

The Midwest Studies Initiative will be centered around a series of interdisciplinary courses that link the study of the sciences and business in a non-traditional way. According to associate chemistry professor Laura Moore, the courses are being designed around themes that bridge the traditionally separate disciplines and facilitate discussions that can lead to creative new solutions. “I am committed to developing new courses such as innovation and entrepreneurism that will show our students how our scientists and business leaders can work more closely together,” she said. “We believe a liberal arts college like Monmouth can be a catalyst for developing a new cooperative model.” The Initiative also seeks to develop educational partnerships and student internships with agribusiness and other major Midwest industries.

The conference is free and open to the public. It will be presented in the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium at Monmouth College from 2 to 4:30 p.m. this Friday, October 9, 2009.