NEW YORK, December 16 – Ahead of Ronald Reagan’s landslide victory in 1980, he summed up his candidacy by asking voters, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” In 1992, James Carville, the architect of Bill Clinton’s breakthrough campaign, famously declared, “It’s the economy, stupid.” Today, with President-elect Donald Trump’s win in the rearview, many commentators are once again pointing to the economy – particularly inflation – as a driving factor behind growing disenchantment with the Democratic Party.
While politicians often receive credit (or blame) for economic conditions, the reality is that job growth is primarily driven by entrepreneurs and business leaders in the private sector. Economic downturns, too, are influenced by global factors largely beyond the government’s control.
In this context, City & State’s inaugural Trailblazers in Economic Development celebrates 100 New Yorkers who are at the forefront of job creation and economic growth at the local, state, and national levels. This new list replaces the Economic Development Power 100, which will return in 2025.
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to John Wang, President and Founder of the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC), for being recognized as one of The 2024 Trailblazers in Economic Development for his exceptional leadership and innovation.