Economic vitality of Northwest cities tumbles
The economic vitality of Northwest cities has tumbled in the last year, according to new rankings by the Milken Institute.
The exception in the 2010 index of Best-Performing Cities was the Tri-Cities, which climbed to fifth among the 200 rated by job, income and output growth, with an emphasis on high-tech employment
Spokane fell to 74th from 41st in the 2009 rankings. Among 179 small cities, Coeur d'Alene sank to 93rd from 15th in 2009. Two years ago, the Kootenai County city peaked at No. 2.
Texas cities ruled the Milken chart, with five among the top 10. Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood topped the list. Detroit was at the bottom.
Among other Northwest cites ranked were Seattle, down from 17th to 37th; Portland, down to 107th from 37th; and Boise, down to 154th from 114th.
Lewiston, unranked previously, was 139th among small cities. Fargo, N.D., was No. 1.
