Background
Walzer, Norman Charles was born on March 17, 1943 in Mendota, Illinois, United States. Son of Elmer J. and Anna L. (Johnston) Walzer.
(The rural Midwest is undergoing fundamental changes with ...)
The rural Midwest is undergoing fundamental changes with increased competition from foreign agriculture; employment shifts from higher-paying manufacturing to lower-paying service industries; the displacement of local small town business by large discount stores and shopping malls; overall population declines that threaten the viability of schools, hospitals, and other public institutions, along with an influx of minority groups that has led to strife in some communities. Using data from the 2000 Census, this collection examines the major demographic and employment trends in the rural Midwestern states with special attention to the issues that state and local policy makers must address in the near future. The contributors are well known experts in their fields, and in these original, previously unpublished materials they offer suggestions on how the Internet and other technological advances offer new opportunities for rural economies that local leaders can build on.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765611228/?tag=2022091-20
( This work examines the main economic trends affecting r...)
This work examines the main economic trends affecting rural areas today and the types of local programs that are being implemented in response. The lessening of federal government involvement since the Reagan administration has shifted the public policy focus, placing greater responsibility for economic development on local governments. With more states encountering financial austerity, even greater requirements for economic development activities will rest with local governments--especially in rural areas. The long-term effects of these developments on states and localities are analyzed, and suggestions are made for economic development initiatives that local governments can undertake. These contributions by a range of experts on rural economic development will be of interest to scholars as well as policy-makers at the federal, state, and local levels.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0275939421/?tag=2022091-20
( While it is relatively easy to construct industrial dev...)
While it is relatively easy to construct industrial development strategies and concessions to entice industrial clients, some incentives are not based on sound economic principles and may ultimately cost a local government more than the benefits derived from attracting the industry. Financing Economic Development in the 1980s provides a broad base of information on business trends, factors underlying location decisions, cost-effectiveness of public incentives, and the outlook for local government in declining areas, particularly the Midwest.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/027592128X/?tag=2022091-20
( Nationally recognized scholars and practitioners examin...)
Nationally recognized scholars and practitioners examine opportunities in which services traditionally provided by local governments are offered by the private sector though a contract or are transferred to a private business completely. Many large U.S. cities have contracted services for many years. With the movement to rightsize governments in recent years there has been renewed interest by local governments in similar ventures. Privatization, in its many forms, is now seen as a viable alternative to traditional ways of providing public services and can bring substantial benefits to residents. With greater accountability being demanded and pressures on local officials to hold the line on or reduce taxes, efforts to find innovative service delivery methods will probably increase. Cities, such as Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Charlotte, are examples showing that contracts with private businesses can work to benefit all parties. Local officials must move ahead cautiously, and not all attempts at privatization or contracting have succeeded. Some cities, after an evaluation, have decided to provide services with municipal employees. The main issues underlying privatization decisions will be addressed conceptually so that practitioners and academics benefit from a review of the current thinking on the issues. At the same time, exemplary practices and case studies are included so that readers can understand how privatization and managed competition have been implemented in local governments. Special attention is paid to administrative questions that may arise during the implementation process. For example, ways in which cities have worked with employees who fear displacement because of the privatization process are described. The book breaks new ground by including references to recent innovations in public-private partnerships and describing how privatization may evolve in the future.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1567203825/?tag=2022091-20
(The cooperative business form has gained widespread respe...)
The cooperative business form has gained widespread respect in value-added agriculture as a way for producers to retain ownership of the produce as it moves through the supply chain. However, the cooperative model is also being extended to public services in sparsely populated rural areas that otherwise would be without these services. Cooperative business forms are becoming a major tool in local economic development and they are being used in innovative ways to serve rural constituents. This authoritative source identifies and explains many of the issues involved in creating and managing these business efforts. Leading scholars trace the history of cooperatives, describe various approaches involved, and examine the effects that cooperatives can have on rural communities. Chapters include research on cooperatives that cannot be found elsewhere. For example, the chapter devoted to new cooperative law is written by the author of the original law. Included also are chapters on social capital and consumer cooperatives that are groundbreaking. Written for the student, researcher, and policy maker, this volume is unique in providing in-depth research findings on the broad spectrum of issues facing the creation and management of cooperatives.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765611244/?tag=2022091-20
(Public-Private Partnerships for Local Economic Developmen...)
Public-Private Partnerships for Local Economic Development Public-Private Partnerships for Local Economic Development by Walzer, Norman ( Author ) Hardcover Apr- 1998 Hardcover Apr- 16- 1998
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IFX9MK8/?tag=2022091-20
( Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly i...)
Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly important in the local economic development efforts of many cities. This collection of essays compares U.S. cities with those in western Europe. Conceptual issues are discussed, and comparisons at the city level illustrate the process, pitfalls, and results of such partnerships. Readers will be able to understand the types of partnership arrangements used in each country. Factors contributing to the success of these arrangements are discussed and compared. Scholars and students of local economic development and public finance, as well as public officials and economic development practitioners will benefit from the unique comparative framework used in this volume.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0275961532/?tag=2022091-20
( Straub and Walzer have assembled a well-balanced collec...)
Straub and Walzer have assembled a well-balanced collection of articles by experts in the field of health care, beginning with two which explore the changing populations and economies of rural areas. Successive chapters explain issues such as recent developments in home patient care, cost-saving innovations, and the pros and cons of rural HMOs. Of special note are those essays which project the future of health care and provide alternative approaches to health care services such as the viability of the rural hospital in the future; progressive non-hospital options; and ways to maximize resources in the years to come. Since this detailed work investigates the major facets of the struggling rural health care system, it will prove valuable not only to health care officials, but also to health care and social science faculty, and to state and local officials whose understanding of health care issues directly affects their policy making.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0275929000/?tag=2022091-20
Walzer, Norman Charles was born on March 17, 1943 in Mendota, Illinois, United States. Son of Elmer J. and Anna L. (Johnston) Walzer.
Bachelor of Science, Illinois State University, Normal, 1966. Master of Arts, University of Illinois, 1969, Doctor of Philosophy,1970. Research director Cities and Villages Municipal Problems Committee, Springfield, Illinois, 1974-1984.
Visiting professor University of Illinois, Urbana, 1977-1978.
Professor economics Western Illinois University, Macomb, 1978, department chairman economics, 1980-1989, director Illinois.Inst. Rural Affairs, 1988, interim dean college business and technical, 1993-1995.
Research director Cities and Villages Municipal Problems Committee, Springfield, Illinois, 1974-1984. Visiting professor University Illinois, Urbana, 1977-1978. Professor economics Western Illinois University, Macomb, 1978—2005, chairman department economics, 1980-1989, director Illinois Institute Rural Affairs, 1988—2005, interim dean college business and technical, 1993-1995.
Professor, director emeritus, since 2005. Senior research scholar Center Governmental Studies, Northern Illinois University.
(The rural Midwest is undergoing fundamental changes with ...)
( While it is relatively easy to construct industrial dev...)
( Nationally recognized scholars and practitioners examin...)
( Straub and Walzer have assembled a well-balanced collec...)
(Public-Private Partnerships for Local Economic Developmen...)
(The cooperative business form has gained widespread respe...)
( This work examines the main economic trends affecting r...)
( Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly i...)
Member American Economics Association, Illinois Community Development Society (president since 2010), Mid-Continent Regional Science Association (president 1985-1986).
Married Dona Lee Maurer, August 22, 1970. Children: Steven, Mark.