Stephen S. Fuller, Ph.D. is Our Town’s expert on Greater Washington’s regional economy. Dr. Fuller received a B.A. in Economics from Rutgers University and a Doctorate in Regional Planning and Economic Development from Cornell University. His dissertation research in rural redevelopment was funded by a small agency in Washington DC. He came to Our Town and never left. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1969, Dr. Fuller was hired by George Washington University as a faculty member of its then new Urban Regional Planning master’s program.
Andy and Dr. Fuller discuss one of the most impactful Presidents of George Washington University, Stephen Trachtenberg, and how GW has done much for urban renewal in the District of Columbia. Dr. Fuller also tells Andy that one of the reasons Amazon chose Our Town for its HQ2 is access to a talented workforce due to the large number of colleges and universities in the area.
Dr. Fuller and Andy also discuss changes that have and will affect the economy – the building of Metro and Amazon. Additionally, that Our Town is not as dependent on the Federal Government as it once was. They do acknowledge that with the stroke of a pen it can be shut down and that can be devasting for the economy.
Andy and Dr. Fuller’s conversation also includes discussions on
• Net Domestic Out-Migration, Natural Growth and International In-Migration and what that means about the Our Town population.
• Putting Amazon’s Impact on Our Town in Perspective – It is Just the Beginning
• New Paradigm for Jobs and Economy
• The River and Growth in Northern Virginia
• Private Sector and Elected Leadership Must Be Involved at Local Level for Proper Growth
• New Money Will Drive the Economy
There’s a lot packed into this information interview with Dr. Stephen S. Fuller.