Access to Global Capital Initiative

This novel project, done in partnership with Liquidnet, is predicated on working closely with leading multinational firms and foreign governments committed to implementing best practices in governance and regulation in order to open up markets and enhance access to global capital. The joint initiative by the Milken Institute and Liquidnet strives to promote an efficient global marketplace for foreign investment and incentivize change through the promise of increased access to capital. A key piece of the initiative is the Global Opportunity Index: Attracting Foreign Investment, which will rank countries according to criteria that reflect their degree of economic openness and opportunity for foreign investment.

Aging Populations Initiative

An aging population poses broad policy challenges for the United States. Our Best Cities for Successful Aging project will include an index that measures the success of individual metropolitan areas in addressing the needs of older Americans and their aspirations for staying vital, healthy and engaged. Modeled on the Institute's popular Best-Performing Cities index, Best Cities for Successful Aging will rank more than 300 metros in such indicators as access to and quality of health care, wellness activities, housing needs, transportation, employment opportunities and community engagement. This annual index will help communities identify their weaknesses -- and up their game -- over time.

Returns on Investment in Higher Education

It's no secret that cash-strapped states are slashing spending on higher education. While that might help balance state budgets, are lawmakers being short-sighted? This study is expected to demonstrate that an abundance of well-educated and skilled workers is a key factor in creating, attracting and retaining businesses that produce high-wage jobs at the regional level. Going even further, the project will estimate the marginal rate of return to a community's economy, job gains and the quality of jobs created, based on wages that can be attributed to investment in higher education. This initiative will also create the first dataset of educational attainment (less than high school, high school, some college, bachelor's, master's and Ph.D.) for the major occupations in each metro.

Investing in Energy Alternatives

Developing energy alternatives requires significant coordination and capital. Nascent power and fuel sources require capital to scale up production and a market where they can sell their products. The Institute, in partnership with the USDA, explores the most effective financial mechanisms and policies for fostering innovation in the growing bio-economy while creating jobs and generating economic growth. From updating the electric grid to turning plants into green plastic, the initiative maps the most successful models, including public-private partnerships and socially responsible investments that provide a double-bottom-line return.