Assessing the Midwest Economy

The dramatic comeback of the Midwest economy and the outlook for the future was the subject of a long-term, comprehensive study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Assessing the Midwest Economy: Looking Back for the Future. The goal of this project is to better understand the Midwest's future prospects by examining the turnaround in its economic performance since the early 1980s.

How did the rustbelt of old become a well-oiled machine? The root causes of the Midwest's revival are not fully understood. The bank's study will contribute to a more refined understanding of the Midwest's turnaround, which is key to forecasting performance and, more importantly, to developing policy which will enhance the region's prospects for continued economic improvement.

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago economists worked with experts from the public and private sectors to produce more than two dozen papers focusing on various subjects, including industry trends, the agricultural and urban sectors, global markets, taxes and regulation, the labor force, and education and technology.