Where 'Eds and Meds' Industries Could Become a Liability

Health care and education—the so-called “eds and meds” industries—are often touted as a means for economic development, especially in recovering Rustbelt cities where the bottom fell out after U.S. manufacturing declined.

But recently a number of economists and urbanists have questioned the ongoing ability of eds and meds to sustain and power local economies. Last fall, Aaron Renn warned that “for cities hanging their hat on eds and meds growth, a more fundamental problem now looms: these industries are at the end of their growth cycle." I’ve similarly registered my skeptical view of eds and meds on Cities before.