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Brookings metropolitan policy expert: cities are driving economic growth

Cities are the networks that are driving the nation’s economy, according to a Brookings Institution metropolitan policy expert.

Bruce Katz spoke about the economy and what he calls a “metropolitan revolution” during the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce’s annual economic outlook luncheon. Katz is Vice President of the Brookings Institution. He says the economy is shifting slowly back to fundamentals following the recession.

But Katz says investments are being hurt by the spending required on programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

"I like to say that our federal government is becoming a health insurance company with an Army. And it’s basically sending a signal to everyone else in the country, cities, counties, metropolitan areas and states, by the way, you’re in charge."

Katz says cities should look to partnerships and innovation to drive growth. He pointed to a light rail system under development in Denver, and the re-emergence of manufacturing in Detroit, as examples of how cities are leading a metropolitan revolution.

You can hear Katz’s complete keynote during Noon Forum on Monday, December 29th.