Author: David C. Ben

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Cincinnati jobs (a national comparison)

Of the 50 most populous regions of the US, Cincinnati has the 15th MOST jobs postings per capita. That is to say that finding a job in Cincinnati would be easier than finding one in places from Pittsburgh to Portland , San Diego to San Antonio, St. Louis to St. Paul, and New Orleans to New York.

The map below graphically displays how well Cincy is doing. In addition to Cincinnati having the 15th best standing nationwide, it also boasts the 2nd best standing in the Midwest region. As a result of its high ranking Cincinnati also ranks ahead of many of its peer cities that it is in direct competition with for job talent. Cities like Denver, Seattle, Charlotte, Baltimore and Milwaukee did all rank higher.

In the interactive version clicking on a city will bring up job postings, and drawing a box will zoom to that area. Not currently looking for a job? Then pass this link along to someone who might be.

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Could it happen here?

Look. Cincinnati is not Portland. I know that. I know that streetcar supporters tend to lust after the transit system in Portland, and imagine a set of comprehensive transportation options here beyond congested highways. Others accuse us of trying to turn Cincinnati into Portland.

I’m not looking to turn Cincinnati into Portland, but I am looking to make the city more attractive, so that things like this can occur. Can you see this happening in Cincinnati? Neither can I. Not yet. Someday.

For the record, Dave Chappelle lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It about an hour away from here. He chose to do this in Portland. That’s Portland, Oregon. The one on the Pacific Ocean, three thousand miles away from Yellow Springs. Would having a streetcar here made Chappelle come to Cincinnati? No. But it would make the city more inviting for young people with options. That creates an environment in which impromptu performances by international superstars is possible. That’s all I’m sayin’.

“This has never happened in my entire career…I didn’t think this many people would show up.” -Dave Chappelle, speaking to the impromptu crowd of several thousand. Notice the dedicated bike lanes as he leaves.

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News

The High Line (update)

A few weeks back, I wrote about a brand new park in New York City called the High Line. It is a converted elevated railway line that they turned into a park.

Pepsi has apparently decided to use this park as one of the faces of the Good Works portion of their Refresh Everything campaign. Seems fitting enough. Think they’d be willing to finance help any refreshing projects here in the 513? The Cincinnati Streetcar maybe? I’d be willing to let them poster one of the streetcars with a gigantic Pepsi logo on it, for the right price. Not that I make those calls. Or maybe they could do something to refresh the failure know as the Skywalk.

Below, see a short video on how the park interfaces with the existing infrastructure.

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News

Riddle me this…

Someone correct me if I am wrong here, but in general, conservatives want smaller government and less spending, right? So why do they tend to live in sprawl areas?

When they are first built, new suburbs cost the taxpayer money to generate the infrastructure to live there (spending), and in many places, especially here in the Cincinnati region, each new suburb has its own local government, police, fire, etc. (more people on the bureaucratic government’s payroll).

Conservatives: why not practice what you preach by living in areas that do not necessitate wasteful spending and bloated government? Discuss.

Photo Courtesy of USDA-NRCS

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News Politics

UPDATE: White House meeting on the state of urban America

As was posted earlier today, President Obama addressed a meeting at the White House today that discussed the problems and opportunities of urban America. There has been a good amount of press coverage on the national scene, but unfortunately our local newspaper came up short. The Enquirer did, however dedicate staff time to developing a Harry Potter quiz for readers to take. I wish I were kidding…

See here for a comment from the White House, including some of the President’s remarks.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson