The economic value of a community is generally measured through such things as residential real estate prices, taxing capacity, the quality of public amenities, the value of nearby retail services and the quality of human capital. Assets grow and depreciate in value based on individual and social actions, including the willingness or ability of individuals, households, businesses and governments to invest in and develop them. Economically distressed communities have declining asset values relative to more competitive places. This decline follows investment logic: if a building has deferred maintenance, its asset value declines relative to similar buildings; if a work force.
