What's the biggest challenge facing urban areas these days? Some might say problems with infrastructure, and others might say a lack of adequately trained employees. This paper from September 2011 by staff members at the Brookings Institution takes a close look into the world of economic recovery in metropolitan areas in the United States. Specifically, the work examines the problems involving public investment in education and how "structural unemployment" will continue to hinder the economic recovery in certain metropolitan areas. The paper begins with a series of short "Findings", which can be read as a type of policy brief for those with limited time. The report also contains a set of graphs and methodological appendices for those who might have a particular interest in their research methods and statistical work.