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Place


Shops and small-business buildings in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, OH | Photo by Carol M. Highsmith

Disruptive macro forces are reshaping the global economy, ushering in a New Economic Order. The Nowak Lab helps cities and metropolitan regions navigate these changes by leveraging their distinct competitive assets to foster innovative, inclusive, and resilient growth. Through research on topics such as the industrial geography, innovation districts, and the clean energy transition, the Lab bridges the gap between “macro” trends and “metro” opportunities. Recognizing that the impacts of these forces vary widely across the U.S., the Lab provides actionable economic analyses to help local leaders assess their position within this evolving landscape and harness their region’s potential to maximize local impact.

Recent Publications

Delivering Abundance from the Ground Up

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson calls for a national shift from scarcity toward building and innovation, but today’s diminished federal role means this vision must be realized at state, local, and cross-sector levels. Delivering abundance now depends on empowering local actors, diffusing best practices nationwide, and leveraging networks of problem-solvers to achieve transformative change from the ground up.

How Pennsylvania Can Lead the Physical AI Revolution

Pennsylvania is emerging as a contender to lead the next wave of the AI revolution—what some call “Physical AI,” where intelligent systems transform real-world industries like energy, manufacturing, logistics, and defense. The state’s assets—abundant energy, industrial land, world-class universities, and a growing robotics ecosystem—position it to compete globally, but only if leaders act decisively.

Place Capital: Lessons from The O.H.I.O Fund

The O.H.I.O. Fund is a bold, locally driven investment initiative aiming to raise $500 million to fuel Ohio’s economic growth. With $240 million raised and $130 million invested since June 2024, it backs high-growth companies, real estate, and infrastructure while fostering long-term local ownership and impact. Inspired by Singapore’s Temasek, the fund reflects a shift toward state-led, network-powered economic development.

View all of our Place publications