Is the U.S. headed for a recession?  Will a continued slowdown have a significant impact on your own community? And regardless of who occupies the White House a year from now, what's one federal initiative that could most benefit your own local economy?  DCI, in partnership with the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is currently polling tourism and economic development leaders throughout the U.S. with those three questions.  A running tally of the results -- and a few of the open-ended comments -- are included below. 

Care to participate?  Click on the following link -- http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/1313dg3080e -- to reach the survey.  Respond by Feb. 1 and you'll be entered into a drawing for your choice of accommodations for a long weekend (three nights) in New York City or for a full week (six nights, seven days) in the U.S. Virgin Islands.   Or, you can simply leave a comment by scrolling to the bottom of this page.  We'd love to get your input.  Meantime, here are the latest results:

 Q1: Is the U.S. headed for a recession? Yes: 65%      No: 35%

Q3: Regardless of who occupies the White House Next Year, what's one federal initiative that can most benefit your community?

“Greatly expand immigration limits for college educated foreign nationals”
- Thomas A. Waltermire, Team Northeast Ohio

“balanced federal budget based on spending cuts.”
- Tucson Roberts

 “Implement tax-funded universal health care for every American.”
- Ken Horseman, State of Vermont

 “Financial assistance or guarantees for residential and commercial uses. The secondary market started the slide, we need something to reverse it.”
- Jerry  Grooms, La Marque Economic Development Corp.

 “We need federal retraining grants that would pay for certification classes for the existing UNDEREMPLOYED workforce re:  industrial maintenance, tool and die, etc.”
- Ron McMahan, Team Taylor County

 “Create a national energy policy that stabilizes the electric grid, where necessary, to ensure reliability and prevent blackouts and rolling brownouts that hurt business and consumers at once and weaken our competitive position in the global economy and stimulates deregulation and decoupling of electric rates across the U.S.”
- Joseph D. Russo, National Grid

 “End the war.  A real probe of federal waste, fraud, and abuse (of spending) and then immediate action to curtail.”
- Chuck Coon, Wyoming Travel & Tourism; Wyoming Business Council

 “Health care initiatives.  Many Montana residents do not have adequate health insurance.”
- Linda L. Beck, Big Sky Economic Development Authority

 “First, in answer to #2, it will not be significant, but it will be felt. The Defense industry is extremely important to our region, but transportation initiatives must be a priority.”
- Steve Cook, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance

 “We must get serious about funding the rehab of our national infrastructure. The problem is so large it will take many years/administrations to accomplish.”
- Joseph L. Vining, Round Rock Economic Dev Partnership

 “I believe that Washington has to come to grips with the Healthcare and Social Security crisis.”
- Ron Bourbeau, South Montgomery County Woodlands Economic Development Partnership

 “Middle class tax cuts would probably most help my community, followed closely by healthcare reform.”
- Jeanine Jerkovic, City of Surprise, AZ

 “Simplify the tax code and reduce businesses taxes.”
- Arnie Frankel, CEcD, AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company

 “Affordable education for our brightest math and science students.”
- Patrick F. McDermott, PSNH

 “The restoration of the SBIC match for small venture funds, extended DOE securitization for large scale solar projects. A stronger FDI program focus on solar technology”
- Barry Broome, Greater Phoenix Economic Council

 “Aggressive funding of defense technology and NASA programs, and continuation of the H2B visa program, which will allow foreign national workers temporary employment opportunities.”
- Brian Hilson, Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County

“The entire country can benefit from lowering income taxes.”
- Jennifer Kolbe, GVEC Economic Development Rep.

 “Make it easier for international visitors to come to the USA and enjoy shopping, dining and sightseeing while the dollar is so low.”
- Richard Grant, Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau

 “The federal initiative that would have the largest impact on our community would be approval for funding of Interstate 69.”
- Cindy Langston, El Dorado, AR Chamber of Commerce, Marketing Manager

 “Reform of the patriot act/immigration reform”
- Frank Nero, The Beacon Council

 “Getting control of predatory lending practices including home loans and credit card interest rates.  New usury laws are needed.”
- Anonymous

“Restore confidence in our economy and improve world relations.”
- Anonymous, Virginia

“reduce tax rates”
- Anonymous, New York

“Ending financial drain of war allowing for funds to be spent on domestic programs.  Stop drain on educational, and medical services of illegial aliens.”
- Anonymous

“Additional funding for transportation projects.”
- Anonymous, Florida

“A simplified flat personal income tax code. Do not punish high earners with higher taxes. Keep percentages level, so not to dampen ambition.”
- Anonymous, Mississippi

“Continued and increased funding of alternative fuels and medical research.”
- Anonymous, Florida

“More federal $ for CDBG program.  Keeping defense spending in our state.”
- Anonymous, Michigan

 “Elimination of the Federal Reserve and fiat currency.”
- Anonymous, Michigan

“Increase tax credits for capital investments by broadening the cap and qualifications for companies, plus more flexibility for rural communities to expand boundaries for HUB, Enterise and Empowerment zones.”
- Anonymous, Texas

“Health Care Reform”
- Anonymous, Missouri

“Expand federal training opportunities for the existing workforce.”
- Anonymous, Indiana

 “The nation needs to continue its focus on green with renewable fuels with increased efforts to reduce dependance on foreign oil.”
- Anonymous, Nebraska

“Tax cuts for individuals and tax incentives for businesses.”
- Anonymous

 “Transportation funding (roads and mass transit)”
- Anonymous, North Carolina

“1. Long-term extension of the energy tax credit for wind generation would encourage foreign investment in our area.”
- Anonymous, Texas

“resolve the immigration/benefits issue !!”
- Anonymous

 “Stop illegal immigration; it's a great economic drain on region and state. Legal immigation works to U.S. advantage; let's support legal residents first.”
- Anonymous, California

“access to health care for those who are employed and uninsured or underinsured”
- Anonymous, New York

“Since most tourists drive to our destination, it'd be beneficial (both environmentally & financially) to pass an initiative that encourages "greener" vacation traveling.”
- Anonymous, Virginia

“We need a national health care plan.”
- Anonymous, Virginia

“Continue to keep taxes (both personal income and corporate) low.”
- Anonymous, Pennsylvania

“An end to the Iraq war and the constant drain of billions of dollars per month on this pointless endeavor would be nice.”
- Anonymous, Oregon

“More attention to environmental concerns.”
- Anonymous,Utah

“We must get serious about funding the rehab of our national infrastructure. The problem is so large it will take many years/administrations to accomplish.”
- Anonymous