Washington, D.C. – The U. S.
Conference of Mayors---headed by Akron, Ohio Mayor Don Plusquellic--- and its Council for
the New American City will bring together mayors and business leaders from around the
country for an Economic Summit in Washington, D.C., Thursday, December 9, 2004, at
Hotel Monaco, to discuss investment in metro economies and focus on a national agenda
to keep U.S. metro areas globally competitive and economically strong. "Election
season is over and it’s time to get back to governing and talk about what’s
working in America," said U.S. Conference of Mayors Executive Director Tom Cochran.
"Mayors know more than anyone how businesses can help cities thrive. We appreciate
that President Bush is hosting an Economic Forum next week and we hope that he will
consider some of the recommendations coming out of this meeting," he continued.
A growing number of businesses recognize that U.S. metro economies - made up of
cities and suburbs - account for most of the economic growth in the country. Metro
areas are the engines that drive the nation’s economy, generating 85% of the gross
metropolitan product (GMP), employment, and income.
"As business leaders who invest in communities across the country, we recognize
the importance and value of working with our nation’s mayors. We share in the
responsibility of providing decent and affordable housing to our citizens and providing
them with places to work, shop and play. As mortgage bankers we understand that the cities
and suburbs, which make up metropolitan areas, really function as one economy and that our
continuing investment helps keep metro areas strong and competitive," said Michael F.
Petrie, CMB,Chairman, Mortgage Bankers Association.
Also during the Summit, the U.S. Conference of Mayors will release new information by
Global Insight, Inc., an economic forecasting firm, on the role of U.S. metro areas during
the current economic recovery including numbers employment for the nation’s 318 metro
economies. Information will also be released indicating when various regions of the
country will regain their pre-recession employment levels.
Other issues to be discussed by the mayors and business leaders include:
- Impact of tax reform proposals on the competitiveness of metro economies and their
ability to attract private investment
- Housing investment
- Tax incentives for public/private partnerships
- Infrastructure investment
WHO:
U.S. Conference of Mayors and Business Leaders
WHAT:
Mayors and Business Leaders Economic Summit:
Keeping America Strong – Investing in the New American City
1:00 p.m. PRESS AVAILABILITY (Paris Ballroom)
WHEN:
Thursday, December 9, 2004
WHERE:
Hotel Monaco, 700 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
