However, Houston is trying its best to fight back.Three years ago, the city formed an economic development commission geared toward luring new industry and diversifying its oil-dependent economy.The strategy involves using two key city assets -- Johnson Space Center and the vast Texas Medical Center complex -- as magnets to attract high- technology businesses in aerospace and medicine.There have been some fledgling signs of success, including the recently announced move by Grumman Aerospace of 4,000 workers from its Long Island, N.Y., plant.The medical complex, known worldwide for its cancer and heart research, also has begun paying early dividends.''

Aloha Bob,Just a thought, I know you are a sharp guy and have examined many interesting proposals, so my thought is this, since you are on the same island why don't you go talk with Santos Kidd.  

No man is an island. :)

My daughter has 51 Rhode Island Reds raised from chicks, starting to lay, & we need to downsize.

If you turned left at corner, see small corner pasture, 50 tree fruit orchard (wifey and I planted ALL 50) AND did Deer wire all around it, and then our pond/lake we developed with an Island in the center and then more pastures and trees.

Nice place the Big Island.

We’re talking about the looming bankruptcy of California, of course, and of at least a few more big-budget states whose books are in equally disastrous shape, including New York, Arizona, New Jersey, Nevada, Rhode Island and Florida."

Being located on long island where the homes are priced much higher then most of the country, earning a 3% commission is a decent chunk of money.

I'm already investing successfully with positive cash flow in Real Estate with no vacancy rate in all my properties, but I have a concern, people are leaving this island (Puerto Rico, the Detroit of the Caribbean) at historical levels, we have been in recession since 2006, we have a 87 billion debt and there's no jobs.

I planted a 50 tree fruit orchard, purchased 10 steers, and put in a a stream fed pond of nearly 2 acres with island and Dock.