Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Population and employment growth rates between 2001 and 2005 suggest that metropolitan areas that serve as the state capitals of their respective states do not face the same challenges the cities they govern encounter when attracting and maintaining economic development. Metropolitan areas that house state governments often have increased population growth and higher rates of job creation while those that do not serve as their state’s seat of government have lower growth in both categories.

Recent public administration literature and research suggest that renewed attention to collaboration between cities within a region is vital to regional economic development strategies. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the impact state capitols have on metropolitan areas. This study analyzes population and job growth rates among the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the United States (36 non-state capitals and 14 state capitals). This data, from the Census Bureau, the Department of Labor, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis, is analyzed in a time series regression to determine what, if any, inequalities exist among the two types of metropolitan areas and will be used to make an empirical case for interstate economic development collaboration.