Economist Amanda Weinstein will discuss new approaches to economic development that close inequality at an Akron Press Club noon luncheon on Friday, May 23, at the East End Akron Goodyear Building, 1201 East Market Street, Akron.
“Decades of widening economic divides across rural and non-rural, but also across large metros – with the Midwest and heartland falling behind – should be evidence enough that we need a new approach to economic development,” Dr. Weinstein says. “The economic discontent we see is related to these widening divides. I don't think most people care if GDP is up if their community is falling behind.” -Amanda Weinstein
There will be the opportunity for questions from the audience.
Her speech will highlight:
🔷Closing the economic divide.
🔷A failure to invest in children.
🔷Economic and geographic inequality.
🔷The rise of automation and decline of manufacturing jobs.
🔷The role of investment in economic development.
🔷The unraveling of the social safety net.
Weinstein is director of research at the Center on Rural Innovation. She also has taught economics at the University of Akron, was a research assistant for the Swank Program in Rural-Urban Policy at The Ohio State University, worked as a senior management analyst for BearingPoint and was a scientific analyst serving as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Proceeds from Akron Press Club events fund scholarships for journalism and public relations students. Between the Press Club and the John S. Knight Memorial Scholarship Fund, scholarships of $5,000 were awarded to 10 students in 2024. The Press Club sincerely thanks Summit County, Dr. Aileen Thong and Elizabeth Bartz for their donations to the scholarship fund. The Press Club also partnered with Sojourner Truth Education Committee to award a scholarship to an Akron Public Schools graduating senior.
Program: Economist Amanda Weinstein.
Date: Friday, May 23, 2025.
Time: Doors open at 11 a.m. for buffet luncheon. Program begins at noon.
Place: Goodyear Hall, 1201 East Market Street, Akron.
Parking: Available in the lot at the corner of Goodyear Boulevard and East Market Street.
Cost: $35 per individual. $210 for table of 6.
Or contact Emily Henthorn, Press Club administrator, at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
Check only accepted day of event.
Reservation deadline: Noon, Monday, May 19, 2025.
Cancellations: Cancellation requests must be received no later than 48 hours before the event. After that time, there will be no refunds and an invoice will be issued for payment.
The Akron Press Club was founded in 1971 to promote a free press and serve local journalists and public relations professionals. The group has a rich heritage of offering newsmakers a forum to discuss issues of the day at Press Club luncheons and speaking events that are open to the public. The club also funds scholarships for journalists and public relations students. Visit www.akronpressclub.org for information.