View of El Paso, TX. The Nowak Lab, with the Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program, is leveraging the procurement economy to empower small businesses, strengthen local supply chains, and foster equitable economic growth in communities like El Paso, San Antonio, and beyond. | ​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.