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High Tech? Ensure You Know About the IRAP Small Project Accellerated Review Process
April 18, 2009
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Best practices, Business, Canada, Commercialization, Creative Class, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Government, Government Policy, Information Technology, Innovation, Innovation Hub, Jobs, Local Start-ups, Microbusiness, OCRI, Open Source, Opportunities, Ottawa, Ottawa Start-ups, Regional Economic Development, Trends, Unemployment
More Beef, Less Bun!
April 18, 2009
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We are in the midst of the worst economic downturn Ottawa has seen, and we are watching our high tech sector melt away.
I find it very disturbing that there are few organizations – other than the Talent First Network and NRC-IRAP – that are stepping up and taking visible, urgent and concrete steps to help out our community.
Talent First Network is aggressively pushing ahead with the Lead to Win program, which has garnered strong community support.
The IRAP team have ramped up their pace, they have streamlined processes to match the urgency of the situation, they are pursuing new programs, and they are on the frontline – engaging the entrepreneurs and high tech businesses who are working to expand existing businesses or build new businesses which will revitalize our high tech sector.
The big question is – Where is the leadership from the other tax-funded organizations? The City of Ottawa, the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation and Industry Canada have spent truckloads of money on the Ontario Centres of Excellence, Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation and The Ottawa Partnership (TOP) – these organizations should be front and center but are virtually invisible.
When it comes to getting results from our tax dollars and leadership from the organizations they fund – it’s time for “More Beef and Less Bun!“ -
In the current economic downturn, I would rather see more of my tax dollars going to IRAP and the Talent First Network. They have the right attitude and they are focused on helping our community.
It’s time for MORE BEEF! LESS BUN!
Business, Canada, Canadian Politics, Creative Class, depression 2.0, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Government, Government Policy, Information Technology, Innovation, Innovation Hub, Jobs, Local Start-ups, Microbusiness, OCRI, Ontario, Open Source, Opportunities, Ottawa, Ottawa Start-ups, Regional Economic Development, Talent First Network, Technology, Trends, Unemployment, Universities, Venture Capital, Web 2.0
Forget Monorails! The New Snake Oil for Economic Development is Green Tech and Clean Energy!
April 18, 2009
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Green tech and clean energy is the new snake oil – and is increasingly being pushed in Ottawa and other communities as “the future of technology” and the source for attracting venture capital, private investment and driving massive economic growth… However the facts paint a different picture!
Venturesource reports steady declines in Venture investment in the green tech and clean energy sectors, with $189 million of Venture Capital invested in 15 deals during the first quarter, down 59 percent from the $457 million invested in 24 such deals last year. This is in comparison to ICT investments, which even in the worst of times are still almost 10 times greater for the same period!
Clean Energy, Green Tech – it walks, talks and looks like a Monorail -
Business, Canada, Canadian Politics, Computing, Debacle, depression 2.0, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Government, Government Policy, Information Technology, Innovation, Jobs, Local Start-ups, OCRI, Ontario, Opportunities, Ottawa, Ottawa Start-ups, Regional Economic Development, Technology, Trends, Unemployment, Venture Capital
Join Lead to Win: Drive Massive Innovation in Canada’s Capital Region
April 15, 2009
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| Join Lead to Win:
Drive Massive Innovation in Canada’s Capital Region |
If you are serious about starting a profitable technology based business in the National Capital Region during the current economic situation, we invite you to apply to Lead to Win (LTW).
LTW is a proven program for talented technology individuals who wish to establish and grow successful businesses in Canada’s Capital Region. Past program participants have come from a wide range of backgrounds, including – sales, business development, product managers, design engineers, systems analysts, and management. LTW previously ran during the 2002 economic downturn. Out of the 29 participants in 2002 – over half launched a new business. Collectively those businesses created over 300 new jobs and attracted over $90M in investment.
The first 2009 LTW training session starts May 19, 2009. If you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply immediately. Applications are now being accepted online at www.leadtowin.ca.
The LTW program is free to qualified applicants – no strings attached, no small print, no surprises. Our region is investing to make LTW participants successful for the benefit of the individual and the community.
LTW has three phases. In the first phase, you apply online. Qualified applicants will then be invited to meet with LTW leadership. Participants will be selected based on their experience, commitment, and opportunity profile. In the second phase, you participate in an intense six day training program where you will learn how to lever business ecosystems, profitably serve attractive vertical markets, and the key factors that contribute to the ultimate success of a fledgling technology company. Upon completion of this second phase, you will be well equipped, and encouraged, to launch your new technology businesses in the National Capital Region. In the third phase, LTW connects you to strategic customers, revenue opportunities, and individuals, companies and organizations that can provide requisite resources, including capital.
LTW is supported by The City of Ottawa, The Talent First Network, alumni from the 2002 Lead to Win program, community expertise, and faculty members and graduate students of Carleton University’s Technology Innovation Management program (www.carleton.ca/tim).
| To apply to LTW, please contact: | Press and program, please contact:
|
|
| Ottawa | Tony Bailetti:
Bailetti@sce.carleton.ca 613 829 8885 |
|
| Tony Bailetti | Bailetti@sce.carleton.ca
613-829-8885 |
|
| Rowland Few | rfew@sce.carleton.ca
613-222-4394 |
|
| Ian Graham | Ian@thecodefactory.com
613-321.3831 |
|
| Gatineau | ||
| Serge Lafontaine | slafontaine@arrow.com
613-884-8965 |
|
Best practices, Business, Commercialization, Creative Class, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Information Technology, Innovation, Innovation Hub, Jobs, Local Start-ups, Microbusiness, Nortel, Ontario, Open Source, Opportunities, Ottawa, Ottawa Start-ups, Regional Economic Development, Talent First Network, Technology, The Code Factory, Trends, Unemployment, Universities, Venture Capital, Web 2.0
Lead-to-Win Turns Economic Downturn into Opportunity for Laid-Off Technology Workers in Canada’s Capital Region
April 15, 2009
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April 16, 2009 – Press Release
Ottawa, Ontario
Lead-to-Win Turns Economic Downturn into Opportunity for Laid-Off Technology Workers in Canada’s Capital Region
In the tech meltdown of 2002, four out of five laid-off tech workers did not find work in high tech, and in Ottawa-Gatineau two out of five laid-off tech workers left the region. In 2009, Canada’s Capital Region high tech sector faces a significantly greater challenge.
Today, Ontario’s Talent First Network is pleased to announce the launch of the Lead To Win program for laid-off tech workers. The program is based upon a program of the same name that was delivered during the last economic downturn in 2002. Over half of the participants in the 2002 Lead to Win program created a new business in Canada’s Capital Region. These new businesses collectively created over 300 jobs and attracted over $90M in investment.
“Lead to Win is a great initiative for our region and we are pleased to support the program,” stated Larry O’Brien, Mayor of the City of Ottawa. There is a proven recipe here. This is precisely the sort of innovative action that takes the current economic situation and turns it into a compelling opportunity for growth.”
Professor Tony Bailetti of Carleton University stated “We have a real opportunity to drive massive innovation in Canada’s Capital Region. Lead to Win will equip the next wave of technology entrepreneurs to launch new businesses that target the right market spaces. We did this in 2002 and we are going to do it again.”
David Vicary, founder of Weyeseyes and previously President and founder of Nakina Systems was also a 2002 Lead to Win participant. Vicary stated “The Lead to Win program was developed to help entrepreneurs in tough times. The lessons learned in Lead to Win were critical to my success in founding and growing Nakina Systems.”
The program is intended for talented individuals who want to launch a new technology business. The program is free to qualified applicants. Applications are currently being solicited for the program. Space is limited and interested individuals are encouraged to apply online at www.leadtowin.ca.
Lead to Win is sponsored by the City of Ottawa, Talent First Network and Carleton University. Lead to Win associates include alumni from the 2002 Lead To Win program, local businesses, and faculty members and graduate students of Carleton University’s Technology Innovation Management program (http://www.carleton.ca/tim).
About the Talent First Network
The Talent First Network is a successful Ontario-wide initiative funded by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation and Carleton University. The Talent First Network enables the commercialization of market offers that rely on open source projects and global ecosystems for their revenue.
Contact: Tony Bailetti, Bailetti@sce.carleton.ca, 613 829 8885
Best practices, Business, Canada, Commercialization, Computing, Creative Class, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Information Technology, Innovation, Innovation Hub, Jobs, Local Start-ups, Microbusiness, OCRI, Ontario, Open Source, Opportunities, Ottawa, Ottawa Start-ups, Regional Economic Development, Stats Canada, Talent First Network, Technology, The Code Factory, Trends, Unemployment, Universities, Venture Capital, Web 2.0
Wireless M2M – Machine to Machine Networking …a Cool Idea with Loads of Microbusiness Potential
April 12, 2009
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Wireless M2M networking enables the monitoring and control of devices that have historically been difficult to access and were previously un-managed. Standards are becoming more common and stable. Further, the implementation and production cost of wirelessly enabling and managing devices continues to drop. This opens up a broad range of potential new applications and business opportunies.
Some examples of companies that provide development platforms and system building blocks for Wireless M2M include:
Canadian Unemployment Rate Hits 8% in March
April 12, 2009
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Stats Canada has reported that Canada’s unemployment rate hit 8% in March. This is the highest rate in seven years.
In March, Ontario unemployment remained steady at 8.7%, however Ottawa’s unemployment rate rose sharply and is now 5.2%.
More details on Canada’s forecast unemployment rates and trends for 2009 is in this blog.
Comparison of Canada’s unemployment rates with the great depression is in this blog.
MagCloud – Do It Yourself Magazine Publishing …a Cool Idea with Loads of Microbusiness Potential
March 31, 2009
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HP is currently running a beta of a new online service called “MagCloud“. The service allows anyone to produce a magazine and print it – on demand – for $0.20 a page. The service also offers an online store to allow publishers to sell their magazines. The service will take care of printing, mailing, subscription management, and more.
HP’s longer-term plan is to sell their specialized printers and inks to businesses who will offer regional on-demand printing services.
This ability to do on-demand printing of magazines can allow smaller operations and professional service organizations to offer new services to businesses which need to quickly and cheaply produce magazines. One of the benefits offered by the service is the ability to do tweaks to the magazine master document much more quickly and with less cost then traditional methods of producing magazines.
Best practices, Business, Canada, Commercialization, Computing, Creative Class, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, HP, Information Technology, Innovation, Jobs, Microbusiness, New Media, Ontario, Opportunities, Regional Economic Development, Trends, Unemployment, United States, US, Web 2.0
13% Increase in Individuals Using Ottawa Emergency Shelters in 2008
March 31, 2009
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The Ottawa Alliance to End Homelessness released it’s report for 2008. The report showed a 13% increase in 2008 compared to 2007, of the number of individuals and families using local Ottawa emergency shelters for increasingly longer periods.
Best Buy Reports Sales UP 10%
March 29, 2009
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Best Buy reported that revenue for their recent quarter which ended Feb. 28 was $14.72 billion, up 9.7 percent from $13.42 billion from the same the period a year earlier. The increase came from strong sales of laptop computers and cellphones.
Technology Rates Adoption from 1900 to Present
March 29, 2009
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This interesting chart is from the New York Times, it highlights the speed of adoption of new technologies over the years. The general conclusion is that adoption/consumption of new technology occurs much faster today then in the past.
Unrest in the Workplace
March 26, 2009
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Recent reports in the news are highlighting increasing aggression and unrest in the workplace.
There have also been reports of incidents against executives at firms with layoffs – ranging from physical assault to murder. In France there have been two cases of hostage taking of managers by employees – at Sony and 3M.
Recession Proof Businesses – US Gun Shops
March 26, 2009
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According to Reuters, in the first two months of 2009, around 2.5 million Americans bought guns, a 26 percent increase over the same period in 2008. Gun dealers report this rise in sales to be a consequence of fear of social unrest as the ailing economy pushes the newly destitute deeper into misery.
The Orlando Sentinel’s also reports that gun dealers are experiencing shortages of bullets -
Some say it began with the election of President Barack Obama. Others say it’s about the economic downturn or fear of crime. Whatever the reasons, ammunition has been selling like plywood and bottled water in the days before a hurricane.
Eleanor Duckwall’s blog on the nationwide ammunition shortage that has hit the U.S. provides a comprehensive review of the various possible reasons for the ammunition shortage, which may include:
- An increase in the size and number of paramilitary police units
- An increase in the use of “patrol carbines” in law enforcement
- Fears of draconian gun and ammunitions restrictions
- Economic instability
Related articles:
- US, Canada and European Governments Actively Preparing for Widescale Civil Unrest?
- US gun sales on increase (Financial Times)
- Gun dealers experiencing shortages of bullets (Orlando Sentinel)
- Gun Sales Soar in United States
- Obama Driving Surge in Gun Sales, Firearms Groups Say
- Smith & Wesson, Ruger shares explode
- CBS News Report -
Carleton University Poster Session – Innovation, Talent, Commercialization
March 24, 2009
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I attended the Carleton University engineering poster session on Mar 20th. 89 engineering students displayed the results of 36 4th year projects (http://www.sce.carleton.ca/courses/sysc-4907/webforms/posterLocations.php).
The projects ranged from the abstract to the commercially viable, and from simple to complex. The one thing that stood out in general was the high quality of the students. The projects I found most interesting were the ones which struck me as being commercially viable with further development – examples from the poster session included:
- An application which linked exercise equipment (in this case a treadmill) into a virtual reality world where the treadmill user could “run” through the virtual reality world and potentially interact with other users around the world
- An inexpensive and compact wireless sensors technology that automatically create a wireless mesh communication network to allow easy deployment of sensors (e.g., smoke detector) without the cost of dedicated wires (or even electrical outlet)
- An iPhone-based geo-tagged photo blogging application
- A Nintendo Wii technology-based interactive projection “whiteboard’
Poster sessions like this can be a great way to help advance commercialization of university work and link local investors/entrepreneurs to ideas and talent.
Best practices, Business, business incubators, Canada, Commercialization, Computing, Convergence, Creative Class, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Government, Government Policy, Information Technology, Innovation, Innovation Hub, Jobs, Local Start-ups, Ontario, Open Source, Opportunities, Ottawa, Ottawa Start-ups, Talent First Network, Technology, Trends, Unemployment, Venture Capital, Web 2.0
McGuinty Government Announces $250M Fund
March 18, 2009
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McGuinty’s government announced a new fund today oriented towards helping keep Ontario start-ups moving forward in the face of a non-existant venture capital market. The fund will match private investments dollar for dollar. It is said to be based upon a similar model implemented in Scotland.
This is a great step towards supporting innovation and start-ups.
Best practices, Business, Canada, Canadian Politics, Commercialization, Creative Class, Economy, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Government, Government Policy, Information Technology, Innovation, Jobs, OCRI, Ontario, Opportunities, Ottawa, Ottawa Start-ups, Regional Economic Development, Technology, Trends, Unemployment, Venture Capital
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters See Increasing Challenges in 2009
March 16, 2009
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The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME) Association released a report in late February, that summarized survey results from Canadian manufacturers and exporters on their perceptions of business conditions.
Key trends from the survey include:
- A majority of manufacturers and exporters expect the value of new orders to fall over the next three months – 56 per cent say that orders are likely to decrease between February and May. This is a less optimistic outlook than in January when only 43 per cent of companies were expecting new orders to drop in the coming three months.
- 45 per cent of companies say that employment levels are likely to fall. This is slightly higher than the 42 per cent of companies that expected their employment levels to fall in the January survey.
- The credit crunch is affecting smaller companies the most, but larger companies are now reporting difficulty accessing financing. 60 per cent of manufacturers and exporters report difficulties accessing adequate levels of financing including obtaining working capital, extending lines of credit, accessing financing for new technologies and product development.
Where Are The US Tech Jobs?
March 16, 2009
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The Dice Report tracks US technology jobs, their March report highlights that the biggest demand is in Washington DC and the east coast of the US.
Cities in Ontario at Over 10% Unemployment
March 16, 2009
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An increasing number of cities in Ontario are significantly above the national average of 7.7% unemployment, including:
- Windor 12.6%
- London 8.4%
- Kitchener 9.1%
- Hamilton 8.4%
- St-Catherines-Niagara 9.5%
- Hamilton 8.4%
- Toronto 8.3%
- Oshawa 8.2%
Ottawa is at 4.6%, but this low number may be misleading due to the outflow of laid-off workers from the city. During past tech layoffs Stats Canada reported that, 2 out of 5 laid off tech workers left Ottawa — with the declining prospects for tech workers in Ottawa, this rate of departures will likely have increased in the current downturn.
Jeffrey Dale Has Left the Building
March 15, 2009
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Jeffrey Dale stepped down as OCRI CEO last week.
Over the years, I used the OCRI services for the launch and ramp of both Liquid Computing and Purple Forge. Liquid Computing and myself were both honored to receive OCRI Awards and recognition. Moreover, I have benefited from Jeffrey’s personal help and support.
As a result of my belief in the good work that OCRI was doing for our community and my positive personal experiences with the OCRI team and Jeffrey, I joined the OCRI board of directors two years ago.
With Jeffrey’s departure, I spent some time this weekend reflecting on what I will remember the most about OCRI under Jeffrey’s leadership. There are a long list of things I will remember, but the three things that will stand out the most in my memory about Jeffrey are that -
- Jeffrey was a very active and very visible cheerleader for Ottawa and the tech community. He was also an articulate spokesman – he put a face on the local tech community and was a visible advocate of its interests;
- Jeffrey worked tirelessly on behalf of the community in general – the job was definitely not a 9 to 5 type of job;
- Jeffrey established a team at OCRI that was very much focused on the entreprenuer – in my direct experience – the OCRI team is responsive, knowledgeable and sincerely interested in making a difference, and that reflects on its leadership.
Thanks Jeffrey!
Canada is Potential Leader in Global Technology Revolution
March 15, 2009
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A recent Rand report , “The Global Technology Revolution 2020″, looks at 16 upcoming key technologies and the ability of 29 countries to acquire and to implement. The following chart identified the key technology applications -
Only three of the 29 countries examined by Rand were identified as being able to acquire and implement all 16 key technology applications – the United States and Canada in North America and Germany in Western Europe.
Business, Canada, Commercialization, Computing, Creative Class, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, Europe, General Interest, Government, Government Policy, Information Technology, Innovation, Jobs, Manufacturing, Ontario, Opportunities, Ottawa, Regional Economic Development, Trends, United States, Universities, US, US Politics
S&P Performance Over Bear Markets
March 14, 2009
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This chart from http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/ provides a very interesting trending perspective of the S&P performance over the last two bear markets versus the current bear market. The Dow performance is also on the chart but is not apples to apples relative to the S&P lines.
Ontario Commercialization Network to be Reformed?
March 14, 2009
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The Ontario Commercialization Network Steering Committee Report was delivered to the Minister late February. PWC produced a report on OCN prior to the Steering Committee Report but it was not made public.
The report makes some blunt assessments of serious problems with Ontario’s current approach to economic development and commercialization. Some key findings include:
- Lack of co-ordination and sharing across many fragmented organizations
- Lack of overall governance
- Lack of clear entry-point for clients/entrepreneurs
- Lack of metrics and performance targets
- Need for better co-ordination between Provincial and Federal governments
- Economic conditions demand quick action
Key recommendations include specifics related to:
- Fixing the governance model
- Fixing the delivery model
- Reducing overlaps of products and services within the Province and between the Province and Federal programs
The report was one of the best i’ve seen so far – it cuts directly to the issues and provides some very rational recommendations.
Best practices, Business, business incubators, Canada, Canadian Politics, Clusters, Commercialization, Creative Class, depression 2.0, Economy, Ecosystems, Entreprenuerism, General Interest, Government, Government Policy, Innovation, Jobs, OCRI, Ontario, Regional Economic Development, Trends, Unemployment, Universities, Venture Capital
Sharp Decline in US Imports and Exports Reported in January
March 14, 2009
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Sharp declines in US trade was reported in January 2009. The following chart from http://www.calculatedriskblog.com highlights the sharp downward trend (red is imports and blue is exports) -
Here is a chart showing inbound and outbound container traffic to the port of Los Angeles – it mirrors the decline -
What’s Happening with Gas Prices?
March 14, 2009
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Gasoline prices have been slowly trending upwards since January 2009.
High Tech Worker Study Shows Optimistic Disposition Helps Reduce Stress Levels
March 13, 2009
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In 2002, Carleton University ran a survey to look at stress among tech workers – “Coping with Job Uncertainty : A Survey of Employed and Unemployed High Technology Workers”. The report identified numerous interesting results, however the one that I found particularly noteworthy was the fact they found that people who have an optimistic predisposition have a natural buffer against stress. In fact, the more optimistic one’s nature, the less stress they reported.
The full report is available here.
Canadian Unemployment in February Hits 7.7%
March 13, 2009
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Stats Canada has reported that Canada’s unemployment rate hit 7.7% in February.
In February, Ontario unemployment hit 8.7%. Stats Canada also noted that just over half of all employment losses in Canada since October have happened in Ontario
More details on Canada’s forecast unemployment rates and trends for 2009 is in this blog.
Comparison of Canada’s unemployment rates with the great depression is in this blog.
Foreign VC Investment in Canada Down More Than 50% in 2008
March 12, 2009
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Industry Canada reports that foreign VC investment in Canada is down 53% in 3Q08 compared to 3Q07.
The bulk of investment is going towards ICT and Life Sciences deals.
Ontario, Quebec and BC account for the majority of deals, with only Quebec showing growth in number of deals. 
The good news is that BDC investments of tax payer money continue to get good leverage -
Jobs, OCRI, Venture Capital, Entreprenuerism, Ottawa, Regional Economic Development, Ontario, Canada, Canadian Politics, Economy, Opportunities, Commercialization, Silicon Valley, General Interest, Trends, Business, Information Technology, Microbusiness, Creative Class, Government Policy, Unemployment, Innovation, US, business incubators, Government
Chrysler to Canada – Hand Over the Cash or I Shoot 9,000 Kittens!
March 12, 2009
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According to the Globe and Mail, Chrysler has resorted to extortion in order to extract tax payer money to prop up their failing company. According to the article:
At a parliamentary committee hearing last night, Chrysler president Thomas LaSorda said the company would commit to maintaining roughly a quarter of its North American production in Canada if its “needs” are met.
Chrysler then went on to list three demands/conditions of Chrysler continuing operations in Canada: union concessions, tax payer money, and an agreement that Canada will back off on its tax collection efforts to recover $1B in taxes it currently owes the Canadian people.
Canada’s Industry Minister Tony Clement has responded today saying that -
(Chrysler officials) “can say whatever they want. … Taxpayers expect us to apply the same rules to everybody in Canada and we’re not going to change the rules for Chrysler”
US, Canada and European Governments Actively Preparing for Widescale Civil Unrest?
March 10, 2009
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This blog entry noted european think tank forecasts of civil unrest in the US as a consequence of the economic crisis.
It was reported back in September 2008 that -
U.S. troops returning from duty in Iraq will be carrying out homeland patrols in America from October 1st in complete violation of Posse Comitatus for the purposes of helping with “civil unrest and crowd control” – which could include dealing with unruly Americans after a complete economic collapse.
In February 2009, news reports have highlighted that the US Army is purchasing a significant ($6M) amount of riot gear.
Another article published in February highlighted increased urban warfare training drills by the US Army in cities around the US.
Other news reports have highlighted past “behind the scenes” preparation by the US government relative to even a modest level of anticipated civil unrest, such as the advance preparation of massive prisoner holding pens which were put in place for expected mass arrests during the Denver Democratic National Convention in 2008.
Denver
Recently, a bill entitled the National Emergency Centers Establishment Act (HR 645) was introduced in the US Congress in January. It calls for the establishment of six national emergency centers in major regions in the US to be located on existing military installations. The stated purpose of the “national emergency centers” is to provide “temporary housing, medical, and humanitarian assistance to individuals and families dislocated due to an emergency or major disaster.” Some pundits say that this bill is in reality establishing domestic internment camps since HR 645 explicitly states that the camps can be used to “meet other appropriate needs, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.”
In Canada, the RCMP is actively recruiting for 2,000 new officers.
Also interesting is that in 2008, the Canadian and US Government signed an agreement to use each other’s troops in civil emergencies.
UK newspapers have reported that European leaders fear civil unrest over the worsening economy, and that:
Europe’s top politicians are so rattled by the prospect of growing protests that they have arranged an emergency leaders’ summit in March to deal with growing tensions.
Depression 2.0 – Hoovervilles/Shantytowns/Tent Cities Have Arrived in the US
March 10, 2009
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There are numerous tent cities starting to appear in the United States as the financial crisis continues to hit hard.
Growing Tent City Outside of Sacramento California
The Daily Mail in the UK reports on the growing number of unemployed in the US moving into tent cities. The article talks to the growing tent city outside of Sacramento California. Surprisingly, Sacramento’s mayor, Kevin Johnson views this as a viable solution to handling the increasing number of unemployed. The Mayor is quoted as saying:
‘I can’t say tent cities are the answer to the homeless population in Sacramento, but I think it’s one of the many things that should be considered and looked at.’
There are an increasing number of videos that document this disturbing trend -
NBC News March 2009
There are many other videos on You Tube and elsewhere. Wikipedia also has a list of cities.
Related Articles -
