Robert McNab, Ph.D. & Barbara Blake, Ed.D. – State of the Commonwealth
The COVID-19 pandemic has created new problems for government officials to remedy, but the majority of issues that existed prior to the outbreak are still affecting our society in 2021. In many cases, COVID-19 has actually increased the difficulties surrounding the various initiatives put in place to protect our populations.
Please feel free to join REMI Vice President of Economics & Consulting Peter Evangelakis, Ph.D. on Wednesday, February 24th from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (ET) as he hosts “State of the Commonwealth,” our special REMI guest webinar that will feature Robert McNab, Ph.D., Director, and Barbara Blake, Ed.D., Chief Administrative Officer, from the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy in the Strome College of Business at Old Dominion University.
This presentation will review the 2020 State of the Commonwealth Report completed by Old Dominion University before highlighting a collection of topics from their report on the Commonwealth of Virginia. You can access the entire study by clicking here.
Buy America and American Manufacturing
President Biden signed an executive order on the 25th of January that was intended to strengthen the Buy American Act and bolster manufacturing efforts in this country.
On Wednesday, February 10th from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (ET), REMI CEO & Chief Economist Frederick Treyz, Ph.D. and business development representatives Carson Poling and Julia Wacker will be hosting “Buy America and American Manufacturing,” our upcoming webinar that examines how buying American can impact the nation’s economy. During this presentation, they will use our Policy Insight model to evaluate the long-term, dynamic economic impacts of Biden’s executive order as they analyze the benefits and trade-offs across the entire economy.
The Buy American Act requires the United States to contract with U.S. businesses whenever possible. By increasing the required threshold for how much of a product must be made in the U.S. to qualify as “Made in America” and changing how domestic content is defined and measured, the Biden administration aims to close loopholes and allow for direct federal spending on American goods and services.
Administrative officials have said that “when we use taxpayer money to rebuild America, we buy American and we support American jobs.” However, critics of the executive order claim that positive impacts to American production and manufacturing will be minimal when compared to the increase in costs to taxpayers and the federal government caused by this policy.
Broadband Expansion and Rural Economic Development
President Biden’s plans for improving energy and infrastructure coincide with furthering the economic development of our nation. Improving internet connectivity and access to broadband in rural areas is a relevant and heavily considered strategy to spur economic development across the United States.
On Thursday, February 4th from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (ET), REMI CEO & Chief Economist Frederick Treyz, Ph.D. & Business Development Representative Alexandra Burelbach will be hosting “Broadband Expansion and Rural Economic Development,” our upcoming webinar that explores the Biden administration’s plans for investing in broadband.
During this presentation, Dr. Treyz and Ms. Burelbach will demonstrate the economic impact of federally-backed broadband expansion. Using the REMI PI+ model, they will estimate the potential economic impact of broadband expansion on rural economies.