Despite the misfiring of the global fiscalengine and the intermittent crashes and booms rumbling across theUS economy, there's a discernible purring sound emanating fromcertain regions. These are places—like Greater Fort Lauderdale andNorthern Kentucky and California's San Bernardino County—whereeconomic development strategies have proven to possess enough gasto keep the car on the road.

In Manhattan's new Silicon Alleys, smaller and less-desirablespaces are being developed as technology incubators. And in olderurban downtowns like Nashville's—where the stillness had sometimesseemed deafening in recent years—the cadence of pounding hammersand pedestrian footfall is picking up as big, fast-growingcompanies take advantage of targeted incentives and loweredrents.

What strategy works best in spurring economic activity in theseuncertain times? The answers of course vary by region. But ifthere's a common thread, it would be that it's crucial to build askilled and educated workforce.