Phil Hardwick

The Department is providing advance notice that it is considering revising the regulations implementing title II and III of the ADA to establish specific requirements for State and local governments and public accommodations to make their websites accessible to individuals with disabilities. The purpose of the Department’s proposal is to solicit public comment on various issues relating to the establishment of any such Web accessibility requirements and to determine the costs and benefits of any requirements that the Department might adopt. Click here to read the notice.

There is a strong link connecting education and economic development in a community. Recently retired state economist Dr. Phil Pepper knew it and preached it. He told just about every group he spoke to that education is the key. Counties with population growth have good schools, he would remind them. He often said, “The primary economic development tool for any county is the education level.” He is not the only one. Click here to continue.

Pittsfield, Massachusetts and Meridian, Mississippi are over 1,300 miles from each other. Pittsfield is in the heart of the Berkshires, while Meridian is in the foothills of Appalachia. Pittsfield's average household income is around $35,000; Meridian's is closer to $25,000. But they may have more in common than first meets the eye. Each has a population of about 40,000 residents, both are over 80 miles from the nearest metropolitan area and both lost population beginning in 1960, although it appears that recently there has been population growth in both places. What struck me about these cities is how each is using the arts as a catalyst for revitalization. In Meridian, the Riley Center attracts over 60,000 visitors for concerts, conferences and other events. In Pittsfield, the Barrington Stage Company is bringing in over 45,000 visitors annually. For more on how Pittsfield is using arts to revitalize the community, click here to read an article in the online editi

When adjusting for size of the pool of graduates, those with undergraduate degrees in Economics are shown to have had a greater likelihood of becoming an S&P 500 CEO than any other major, according to research by the Social Science Research Network. Click her e to read the report.