WHERE THE JOBS ARE!

Each year, our LiveXchange event provides a fertile meeting ground for site selectors and senior economic developers.

This year -- as every sector battles its way from the depths of recession into the sunlight of an emerging recovery -- we believe LiveXchange presents a crucial, not-to-be-missed opportunity for locations to zero in on pre-qualified, viable projects in an economy that has winnowed the field and intensified the competition.ÊNo other event can offer this kind of anÊvalue in return for time well spent.

We have lined up 20 delegations for this year's LiveXchange who will be representing shovel-ready projects that have the potential to create 6,100 new jobs with more than $86 million in payroll. These projects amount to an astounding $438 million in capital investments, and they all are looking for a home!

Business Facilities LiveXchange is an invitation-only event that provides senior economic developers from across the nation the unique opportunity to meet with representatives from pre-qualified projects in two days of intense face-to-face meetings at a first-class resort. Site selectors can learn everything they need to know about candidate locations directly from the economic development specialists representing their prime site targets.Ê

Not a minute is wasted during these pivotal meetings -- which often are the precursors to major site selection decisions -- because the itinerary for each attendee is created using our proprietary Group C-Link software, which ensures that site selectors meet all of the attending representatives from the locations they want to scout. Because the event takes place in a resort setting, there also is time for casual interaction during luncheons, dinners and at what often is the most productive business venue: the golf course!Ê

LiveXchange 2009 will take place October 18-20 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, FL. A limited number of location slots are still available. If your economic development agency still has not seized this crucial job-creating opportunity, we suggest you give one of our reps a call as soon as you can (contact jsemple@groupc.com, bnachsin@groupc.com or dgoldstein@groupc.com for more information about a LiveXchange sponsorship).Ê

As in past events, the unique LiveXchange experience will be supplemented by an all-star list of guest speakers, who will be making presentations and leading discussions on a number of hot-button issues. This year, we are paying particular attention to an emerging sector which rapidly is becoming an economic driver from coast to coast: alternative energy. Fueled by $3 billion in federal stimulus grants, alternative energy projects focused on solar, wind, biomass and other renewable fuels are being pulled off the drawing board and rushed into reality, blossoming like hundreds of ''green shoots'' across the national landscape.

Our keynote speaker at this year's LiveXchange has been in the forefront of the ongoing debate over an issue that has become central to the transition to a green economy: the introduction of a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions. Delivering an address entitled ''What You Need To Know About Carbon Trading'' will be William Sloan, is an attorney in the global law firm Morrison & Foerster's Cleantech Group.

Sloan previously served in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice, and is a member of the Energy Bar Association's Emission Trading Commission, the Climate Change Advisory Committee for the California Manufacturers and Technical Association, and the Environment, Energy and Resources Section of the American Bar Association.

In his keynote presentation, Sloan will explain how the creation of a carbon-credit marketplace could make the cost of carbon emissions a primary factor in the site selection, expansion, relocation and facilities management decision-making process.

In addition to the keynote, several of our seminars and workshops at this year's LiveXchange will focus on the emerging green economy:

¥ George Tobjy, a Director at KPMG Global Location and Expansion Services, will make a presentation entitled ''Green Economy: Opportunities/Best Emerging Sectors.''

¥ David Brandon, Senior Vice President, Site Selection Group, will conduct a seminar on ''Renewable Energy: Target Industry Analysis and Location Trends.''

¥ Jerry Szatan, Principal, Szatan and Associates, also will examine the impact of green building and smart growth considerations in his LiveXchange think-tank session on ''Location Strategies for Consolidating Facilities.''

Globalization is another hot-button topic that will be analyzed at LiveXchange. Don Holbrook, Partner, The Vercitas Group, will conduct a seminar entitled ''The Art Of The Deal In Tthe Era of Globalization.''A presentation discussing the ins-an-outs of evaluating locations for high-tech investments will be made by Matt Szuhaj, Director, Strategy and Operations, Deloitte Consulting LLP.

Once again, LiveXchange 2009 will take place October 18-20 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, FL. We look forward to seeing you there. Ê

Texas-sized venue

If King Kong was the Eighth Wonder of the World, the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX surely is the Ninth.

The Cowboys new home is the largest domed stadium in the world, measuring a whopping 2.3 million square feet. To get a sense of just how big this place is, consider this: its volume of 104 million cubic feet is large enough to fit the entire Empire State Building sideways (minus the antenna).

The new $1.3-billion football palace, designed by Dallas architects HKS Inc., is capable of holding 111,000 fans, far more than any other venue in the NFL.

This marvel of engineering includes a retractable roof, a retractable glass front entrance, and, most amazing of all, a seven-story-high, 11,520-square-foot, high-definition video screen that hangs directly over the middle of the playing field and stretches from 20-yard-line to 20-yard-line. The mammoth HD TV screen runs parallel to several tiers of luxury boxes in the stadium, but Cowboy loyalists in the end zone seats aren't neglected. Two more giant HD screens are attached to either end of the video monster.

The Cowboy's new digs are so spacious each deck has its own set of Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

Construction was completed on the stadium in May. The Cowboys played their home opener against the New York Giants on Sunday night. Before the national anthem was played at the world's largest domed field, the world's largest American flag was unfurled over the entire playing field. We didn't catch a glimpse of the concession stands, but we imagine the world's largest chili-dogs are being consumed there.

The eye-popping 160 x 72 ft. TV screen already has resulted in a hasty rule change by the NFL. Because the screen superstructure is hanging low enough over the field to make it a tempting target for punters (the big TV received its maiden deflection during an exhibition game), the lords of the NFL have ruled that any kicked ball that hits the structure will require a ''do-over.''

There will be no do-over of the home opener at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. We'd tell you the score, but Jerry Jones just switched off the big TV set.

Golden State vs. Silver State

Everyone is familiar with those cheeky TV commercials with the tagline ''Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.''

Well, we recently came across something that has created a lot of controversy since it came out of Vegas -- a $1 million ad campaign from the Nevada Development Authority that aims to lure businesses to the Silver State by attacking its huge neighbor to the west, California.

Some examples of this pitch can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pDKoX0uTwM

Here's a quick synopsis. One of the ads, entitled ''Apples 2 Apples,'' shows two apples sitting side by side. One apple is labeled ''Nevada'' and the other is labeled ''California.'' While the announcer ticks off a list of tax benefits for people doing business in Nevada, the California apple shrivels up and goes rotten. Get the picture?

Needless to say, our friends on the West Coast aren't turning the other cheek. They're filling the blogosphere with ripostes which point out that the economic crater in Nevada is as deep -- or deeper -- than the Golden State's fiscal valley.

California economic development agencies have been circulating this salvo from Jim Boren, a columnist for the Fresno Bee:

''You gotta love the sleight of hand Nevada economic development officials are using in their $1 million advertising plan to lure California businesses to their state. In ripping California, they suggest that all is well in the Silver State. So here's what you won't hear in those ads: Nevada has had the nation's highest home foreclosure rate for 31 consecutive months. U-Haul dealerships in Nevada can hardly keep moving trucks on their lots as residents fishtail out of the once-booming state. Nevada casino revenues report double-digit declines...''

When Nevada's ad blitz against California was announced a couple of months ago, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman boasted to reporters ''It's going to drive them bonkers. We're going to crush them.''

To which Mr. Boren responded:

''Nevada isn't going to crush anyone right now, and this latest campaign has a feeling of desperation. Nothing worse than being a gambler and out of money. I'm almost feeling sorry for them, even though they were gloating when Nevada was riding the economic boom. But right now, Nevada is kissing its own assets goodbye.''

And so, in the midst of the worst national economic calamity since the Great Depression, we now have two states with double-digit unemployment firing broadsides against each other.

One year later

It has been exactly one year since Lehman Bros. vanished into a black hole and almost took the global financial system with it. The nightmare that followed is still hard to fathom.

On the first anniversary of the Big Collapse, there's good news, bad news, and, hopefully, really good news.

First, some good news:

The combined market capitalization of the 29 largest U.S. financial institutions, which shrank from $1.86 trillion in Oct. 2007 to a paltry $284 billion in March of this year, now stands at $947 billion. The fiscal behemoths are beginning to pay back billions in bailout bucks to the U.S. Treasury.

Bad news:

Only 22 of the 29 financial giants are still in business, and overall more than 90 banks have been shut down in the U.S. Credit still is not flowing, and about $2 trillion in shaky commercial real estate loans may be nearing default.

Good news:

The recapitalization of the large banks and the robust recovery in bank stocks have stabilized the financial system. The emerging recovery may permit banks to show forebearance on commercial real estate debt, rather than move to foreclosure, which would be another huge shock to the system.

Bad news:

At least 15 states are suffering from double-digit unemployment, and close to half the state budgets are facing huge deficits totaling nearly $300 billion (thanks in part to the failure of Congress to include state budget aid in the stimulus package). Unemployment in Vegas topped out at 18 percent, which disproves our theory that only the Apocalypse could prevent Americans from gambling.

Good news:

The U.S. auto industry has been rescued and the two former basket cases have emerged from bankruptcy restructuring in record time. And yes, that new Camaro looks really snazzy.

Bad news:

Not a single bank fraud has been arrested, much less convicted (Madoff doesnÕt count because he confessed). The bonus-grabbing vampires on Wall Street who nearly destroyed the global economy are up to their old high-risk tricks: their latest scheme is bundles of securitized life insurance. They want to buy Grandma's policy and then bet on how long she will live! No, we are not making this up.

More bad news:

The bogus credit rating agencies are still being paid by financial hustlers to give pristine grades to worthless junk. Tough new financial regulations and reforms are stalled in Congress and lobbyists are cooing that these are no longer needed since we are entering a recovery.

Enough of that. Are we ready for some Really Good News?

Okay, here it is:

THE UNITED STATES HAS SLAPPED A 35-PERCENT TARIFF ON TIRES MADE IN CHINA.

No, we haven't taken leave of our senses. And we are not endorsing protectionism.

HereÕs the way we see it ---

The U.S. sending a message to our friends in China and everywhere else:

We took a hard fall and we hit the canvas, but we were not counted out. We have picked ourselves up and not only are we still standing, but we are getting ready to rumble.

The recovery is real. The mighty engine of the world's largest economy is sputtering back to life, and it is going to be leaner, faster, greener, smarter and stronger. We intend to do more than just survive. We're going to defend the title.

We're going to put a new set of wheels on this baby -- and yes, comrades, we prefer to buy our tires where they were invented and are still made, in Akron, OH -- and then we are going to burn rubber and leave you in our rear-view mirror.

WE'RE BACK.

Pay no attention to the man behind the label

Ever since the U.S. surgeon general warned in the early '60s that cigarettes cause lung cancer, the tobacco industry has waged a fierce battle to water down warning labels the government mandated on the side of cigarette packages.

As a result of this battle, it took nearly 40 years for the wording on these labels to morph from a gentle warning that smoking coffin nails ''may lead to'' cancer, heart disease and an assortment of other deadly ailments to more direct declarations that cigarettes will, in fact, kill you.

Today, the battleground over warning labels is focused on nutrition and environmental stewardship. The industries at the center of these battles appear to have hit upon a new strategy to avoid getting tagged with scarlet letters from the government -- they are creating their own labeling systems.

Pick up a box of Froot Loops at your local supermarket this week. Your eyes immediately will be drawn to the top of the box and a handsome new ''Smart Choices'' label, created by the nationÕs largest food manufacturers and ''designed to help shoppers easily identify smarter food and beverage choices.''

The food manufacturers are hoping you won't be smart enough to turn the box on its side and read the government's official Nutrition Facts label, which will inform you that the breakfast of choice among five-year-olds is loaded with enough sugar to fuel an army of diabetics.

Now comes news that a purportedly non-profit group backed by the paper and timber industries appears to have the upper hand in wresting the certification of ''green'' wood products from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which for years has been the established judge of whether wood or paper products deserve to be labeled environmentally friendly.

According to reports, an alternative label from the industry-backed Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is close to gaining acceptance from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which rates buildings as environmentally acceptable under its LEED certification system. This would permit wood products carrying the SFI label to be used in green buildings without jeopardizing LEED certification of the building.

Public-interest lawyers for Forest Ethics, a nonprofit group dedicated to protecting forests, have filed administrative complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and the Internal Revenue Service challenging the credibility of the SFI label and SFIÕs nonprofit status. However, an FTC ruling on the complaint may not come before USGBC polls its membership on whether to accept the SFI certification.

LEED officials reportedly are leaning towards accepting the SFI label because the SFI program certifies more forest acreage than FSC, which was formed in 1993 by international environmental groups (FSC includes forest industry representatives on its board). USGBC president Rick Fedrizzi was quoted in a newspaper report suggesting that inclusion of SFI in the labeling process would help convince major players ''to do better in forest management.''

For some reason, this festival of dueling labels reminds us of our favorite scene in one of Woody Allen's early comedies.

In his film Sleeper, Woody goes into the hospital for a minor medical procedure and wakes up in the future, a la Rip Van Winkle (he finds himself wrapped in a BirdsEye cooking bag when he wakes up).

When he is served his first meal in the future, Woody is handed a tray carrying a fatty steak covered with mounds of butter and a huge ice cream sundae. Sitting next to the plate is a pack of cigarettes.

''This stuff will kill me!'' Woody exclaims.

His genial host in the future responds soothingly: ''We used to believe that, but now we know these are the healthiest things you can consume!''

Hangar 17

Hangar 17 at New York's Kennedy Airport is large enough to accommodate several jumbo jets, but it is not used to house aircraft.

Strewn across the hangar's concrete floor are nearly 2,000 pieces of steel. Some are easily recognizable as I-beams used in the construction of a large building. Others have been twisted into contorted shapes impossible to reproduce by man or machine. Most are huge, weighing tons, but a few are slivers and sheets the size of a road sign.

Here lies the remains of the World Trade Center, destroyed in the terrorist atrocities of September 11, 2001.

Hangar 17 has been a busy place. According to a recent report in the New York Times, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey -- which owned the Twin Towers -- has been fielding a steady stream of requests for pieces of WTC steel. These requests have come from all over the world:

A 15-year-old Boy Scout in Windermere, FL, earned his Eagle rank by arranging for the town to receive the steel for the centerpiece of a 9/11 memorial.

A fire department in Saint-Etienne, France, asked for the steel to memorialize the 2,752 victims, including 343 firefighters, who died at the World Trade Center.

The Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas asked for a 79-inch piece to fit into a custom case.

All who have asked for pieces of what used to be the tallest skyscrapers in New York City have treated these artifacts with respect and sensitivity, evidenced by the driver of a flatbed truck from York, PA, who placed a large American flag on the bed of his truck and then gently loaded a steel beam onto the flag before hauling it to York's memorial.

Unfortunately for all of us, this respect has been missing at the place where it is needed the most -- at Ground Zero.

In the eight years that have now elapsed since the 9/11 attacks, three New York governors, one New York City mayor, the Port Authority, and one very stubborn real estate developer have been mud-wrestling in public over the 16-acre World Trade Center site.ÊWe won't recount in detail the internecine maneuverings of this group, which has been entrusted with rebuilding the WTC site, including a memorial to the victims of 9/11. Suffice it to say that the developer, who acquired the World Trade Center lease a few months before the attack, is collecting millions of dollars in penalties while he argues with state and city officials over who will finance some mediocre buildings that he is no longer in a hurry to build due to the collapse of the real estate market.

The stalling tactics have included at least a half-dozen alterations to the design of a train station and underground shopping mall also planned for the site. While this tawdry spectacle has unfolded, Ground Zero has remained a gaping, open wound in the national psyche. The victims' memorial remains unfinished.

This is a national disgrace.

Imagine, for a moment, if 10 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor the denizens of Honolulu were still arguing over whether to build a seafood restaurant and a surfboard shop over the wreck of the U.S.S. Arizona.

It is time to end this travesty. It is time to take Ground Zero away from the political hacks and their commercial allies who have been toying with it.

Congress should act immediately to designate the World Trade Center site a national landmark, and to enforce by eminent domain the claiming of all 16 acres in the name of the American people. Congress also should fund the victims' memorial and a National Firefighters Museum, to be completed on the site in time for the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in 2011.

Nothing else should be built there, so the place where the Twin Towers once stood can forever remain what it became on September 11, 2001:

Hallowed ground.