America’s next growth opportunity: An investment-ready heartland

While the American heartland generates over a third of US GDP, it attracts disproportionately low levels of private investment. Focusing on "micropolitan" communities (smaller cities of 10,000 to 50,000 residents), the authors introduce an "investment readiness framework". This framework helps these communities evaluate their economic foundations, community assets (like housing and healthcare), and institutional coordination to better attract capital and translate it into durable economic growth.

State and Local Policymakers, Economic Development Organizations, and Private Investors benefit most from reading this report. Local leaders can use the framework and checklists to diagnose their community's weaknesses and align their strategic planning, while private investors and philanthropic groups can use the data to identify overlooked, high-potential markets for capital deployment outside of major metropolitan hubs.