ODU Economist James Koch to Present State of the Region Report at Lead Hampton Roads Breakfasts
September 23, 2013
James V. Koch
Old Dominion University's 14th annual State of the Region report, which examines a wide array of Hampton Roads issues, will be unveiled at a breakfast Tuesday, Oct. 1, hosted by Lead Hampton Roads.
James V. Koch, Board of Visitors Professor of Economics and President Emeritus, serves as editor of the State of the Region report, which receives financial support from ODU and a number of local organizations and individuals. The report is published by the university's Regional Studies Institute and will be released Oct. 2.
The 2013 report focuses on the region's "Big Three" of defense, the port and tourism, as well as provides an analysis of the housing market, discusses the economic impact of coal and suggests economic development strategies. Koch notes that the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of the university.
He will speak about the report at two functions in Hampton Roads - at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, and 7:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at the Newport News Marriott at City Center. Tickets are $30 for Lead Hampton Roads alumni and $40 for the general public. All who attend will receive a copy of this year's report. To register for either event, see the Lead Hampton Roads State of the Region page HERE.
In addition to covering the state of the regional economy, and the impact of sequestration, this year's report includes chapters on the following topics:
- Housing: Residential home sales and prices are up, while unsold housing inventory and foreclosures are down.
- What Do We Do Now? What are the hot policy issues of the day and what policies could be adopted to stimulate economic growth?
- Coal: The Port of Virginia is the largest coal-exporting port in the U.S. In light of the rising cost of natural gas, etc., this chapter examines the economic impact coal will have in our region in the future.
- Where Our Cities and Counties Spend Their Money: As spending per pupil has increased faster than inflation and administrative expenditures have also risen more rapidly than those on instruction, this chapter compares the spending habits of local cities and counties.
- Virtual Education in Hampton Roads: The focus of this chapter is upon the rapidly growing virtual, or online, education enterprise at the K-12 level, and the degree of regulation.
- Asian Indians in Hampton Roads: Asian Indians are not only known as the best educated minority group in Hampton Roads, but also as the group with the highest earned wages. This chapter looks at their achievements, state and attitudes.
- How We Care for the Mentally Ill in Hampton Roads: The focus here is on how the mentally ill are identified and how they are cared for. In light of recent tragedies, it also discusses their access to guns.
Previous State of the Region reports may be found at www.odu.edu/forecasting and www.jamesvkoch.com. Single paper copies may be purchased for $25. For more information contact Koch at 683-3458 or jkoch@odu.edu.