The Leader - September/October 2008 - (Page 106) ec oNomIc DevelopmeNt I N the NeWs Kiplinger’s top places to live teN u.s. cItIes leaD the pack Kiplinger saYs these teN Great places WIll oNlY Get Better In their attempts to choose the ten best cities to work and play in for 2008, Kiplinger looked for places with strong economies and abundant jobs, reasonable living costs and plenty of fun things to do. One key to a bright future is a healthy shot of people in the creative class. 1. Houston Population: 5,542,048 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 31.3% Cost-of-Living Index: 88.1 Median Household Income: $50,250 2. Raliegh, N.C. Population: 995,662 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.1% Cost-of-Living Index: 99 Median Household Income: $56,150 3. Omaha, Nebraska Population: 821,356 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 30% Cost-of-Living Index: 89.4 Median Household Income: $51,627 4. Boise, Idaho Population: 568,086 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 33.2% Cost-of-Living Index: 95.5 Median Household Income: $49,833 5. Colorado Springs, Colo. Population: 600,444 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 34.1% Cost-of-Living Index: 95.3 Median Household Income Since 2000: 53,486 6. Austin, Texas Population: 1,506,425 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 36.5% Cost-of-Living Index: 92.8 Median Household Income: $52,882 7. Fayetteville, N.C. Population: 419,455 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 31.4% Cost-of-Living Index: 90.4 Median Household Income: $42,267 8. Sacramento, Calif. Population: 2,067,117 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 34% Cost-of-Living Index: 121.7 Median Household Income: $56,953 9. Des Moines, Iowa Population: 532,425 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 32.1% Cost-of-Living Index: 90.6 Median Household Income: $53,384 10. Provo, Utah Population: 474,351 Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 32% Cost-of-Living Index: 97.7 Median Household Income: $50,583 eu traDe WIth BosNIa aND herzeGovINa eNters NeW phase The European Commission’s Interim Agreement (IA) with Bosnia and Herzegovina effectively creates a free trade area, with progressive opening of the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina facilitating economic and social development. The two sides signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and the IA on 16 June, which allows free access to EU markets for almost all goods from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which in turn will gradually open its market to the European products and services. chIp GIaNt to set up $95 mIllIoN plaNt IN sINGapore The global slowdown facing the chip industry has not deterred industry giant Applied Materials from investing US$70 million ($95S.4 million) in a new Asia operations centre in Singapore, according to the Straita News. The facility will be up and running by late 2009, creating as many as 300 new jobs. The company already employs 400 people in its sales and service office in Singapore. The new operations center will manufacture equipment used to make semiconductor chips for its regional customers, such as Chartered Semiconductor. 2 0 0 8 th e le aDe r 106 septemBer / octoBer
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