Michigan State University says its Land Policy Institute is working on several initiatives to boost the state's transition to a knowledge-based economy. Among them:

• How States Grow: LPI is wrapping up a study on the new economy contributors to growth in states around the country, from quality-of-life amenities to creative class industries. The report will be released soon.
• Population & Economic Attraction: LPI has embarked on an analysis of population movements, particularly the young adults (age 24-35) and retirees (age 55 and up), to determine what characteristics are attracting these age cohorts, which are critical to growth in the new economy.
• Green Infrastructure: LPI is working with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory and Heart of the Lakes Center for Conservation Policy to determine the role of ecological assets in attracting people, entrepreneurs and businesses to particular areas.
• Regional Prosperity Package: LPI's Citizen Planner Online program is developing three new online modules to help planning officials better understand how they can incorporate New Economy drivers into their region's plans, including the adaptive reuse of the built environment and green development practices, such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), green infrastructure and pedestrian-scale development.
• Michigan's Critical Assets: Given the fact that the assets of the past are not necessarily what will drive growth in the future, LPI has undertaken an initiative to identify where Michigan's New Economy assets are in order to target them for strategic development.

More at www.landpolicy.msu.edu.