State: Job growth faster, more dramatic, than originally predicted

STATE --- In an article in this week’s Boston Business Journal, the paper reports that the state has seen a faster rate of job growth in recent months than originally predicted by economists.

Opinion: Glaeser outlines stakes in Boston-Atlanta competition

BOSTON --- Writing for the Boston Globe editorial page, Harvard University‘s Edward Glaeser outlines the similarities between Atlanta and Boston and says that the two cities are in competition for young workers in popular growth industries like life sciences.

California: Court rules that suburb must loosen development rules

CALIFORNIA --- The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a Superior Court ruling on the need to loosen development rules will send a message to other California suburbs and small cities about sharing the load of regional housing needs.

Event: Wrestling with Growth in Acton

CAMBRIDGE --- On Thursday February 11, 2010 at 1 p.m. Alexander von Hoffman, a Senior Fellow from the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, will present a paper titled "Wrestling with Growth in Acton, Massachusetts: The Possibilities and Limits of Progressive Planning."

State: Rail development across state spurs smart growth

STATE --- Three articles published this week have discussed the increasing amount of funding becoming available for high-speed rail and commuter rail trains in three regions of Massachusetts.

Opinion: 2 proposals may quash recovery

BOSTON --- Banker & Tradesman columnist Scott Van Voorhis warns that a legislative proposal to limit the height of buildings in Boston and a ballot initiative to repeal Chapter 40B could, if passed, effectively quash any rebound in construction and shut down new commercial and residential development for years to come (subscription needed to access article).

Report: State ends decade with net job loss

BOSTON --- For the first time since World War II, the state ended a decade with fewer jobs. The Boston Globe reports the state lost 55,000 jobs between 1999 and 2009, due in large part to two recessions, the dot-com bust in 2001 and the recession that began in 2008. “The job creation engine for Massachusetts is broken,’’ said Michael Goodman, economic analyst at UMass-Dartmouth.

Foundation for Growth research update

BOSTON --- Three research teams continue to analyze how much housing Massachusetts needs to grow its economy and what strategies and policies are needed to achieve more robust housing and economic growth.

Fitchburg: City council votes down proposed smart-growth zoning district

FITCHBURG --- The Sentinel & Enterprise reports that the city council recently voted down a proposed zoning change that would have encouraged residential developers to rehabilitate vacant mill buildings.

Hyannis: Sec. Bialecki participates in panel with young Cape professionals

HYANNIS --- State Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki recently participated in a panel to brainstorm how to keep young professionals from fleeing Cape Cod for better jobs and more affordable housing.