Economic Development Priorities and Central-City and Suburb Differences

Abstract

Results of prior research indicate that central cities are likely to adopt progrowth policies, whereas suburbs have become increasingly “antigrowth.” This research further examines the city and suburb differences in economic development priorities at the city-administrator level. By utilizing survey data that targeted administrators of cities with a population of at least 5,000 in the state of Texas, this study tests four hypotheses that are derived from previous theories. Results show that there is a high level of consensus among city and suburb administrators regarding the importance of economic development and job creation. However, central-city administrators accord a greater level of importance to job creation and to a regional economy than do administrators in suburbs. Furthermore, the administrators’ perceptions of policy priorities are also conditioned by the structure of their local government.