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IMPLAN Blog

2018 Data Season is Here

Posted by Joe Demski on November 7, 2019

It is that time of year again! IMPLAN Data Year 2018 is upon us. Beyond our annual improvements, you will find two significant updates to this year’s iteration of our annual data.

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Topics: Data, Economics, Technology, Methodology

Amazon HQ2: Gauging Its Impact

Posted by Joe Demski on October 4, 2019

Much has been written regarding Amazon’s HQ2 decision and what factors ultimately led to the choice of Arlington, VA. In September 2017, Amazon requested proposals for their new headquarters in North America. Ultimately 238 cities across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada submitted bids. Amazon’s RFP stated that 8 million square feet would be required for the campus and approximately $5 billion would be invested in capital expenditures. Additionally, on-site mass transit, a skilled employee base and strong university system (to fill an estimated 50,000 jobs), and easy access to an international airport were ideal site features. However, tax incentives were the ultimate prize for the tech giant. 

In order to maximize their potential offers, localities needed to understand their threshold to offer incentives. Economic impact analyses were a critical tool used by bidders for calculating the potential economic benefit that Amazon could bring to their locale, and, in turn, how significant any incentives offered could be. The analyses were a crucial step taken prior to the proposals, however they also informed actions taken after site selection.

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Topics: Economics, Employment, Methodology, Impact, Economic Development, Corporation

New CEW Data Available Now

Posted by Joe Demski on August 8, 2019

It’s that time again! Our data team here at IMPLAN works tirelessly to ensure that IMPLAN can offer the most comprehensive wage and salary dataset possible. Thanks to their efforts, the 2018 Census of Employment and Wages (CEW) dataset is complete and now available. Because of the level of detail and historic data available, the CEW data is perfect for establishing trends and running statistical analyses.

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Topics: Data, Economics, Employment, Methodology, Impact

What Value do Community Events Provide?

Posted by Joe Demski on July 26, 2019

Local events that bring communities together for holidays or regional celebrations often become annual traditions deeply intertwined with an area’s identity. In recent years, however, some localities have halted events like holiday parades, block parties, and July Fourth fireworks due to increasing regulations and rising costs. The immediate savings are beneficial. However, the significant, positive effects these events have on local economies are being lost in the process. While few studies exist regarding the impact of non-tourist, community events on economies, the framework exists to reliably analyze their effects. Before jumping into the event analysis methodology however, there are several factors to assess.

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Topics: Data, Events, Economics, Methodology, Tourism, Impact

Audio: An Overview of Industry Contribution Analysis

Posted by Joe Demski on June 20, 2019

The terms “economic impact” and “economic contribution” are often used interchangeably. However, the results they provide differ significantly. Impact analyses predict economic shifts based on change in an industry. Contribution analyses model the effects supported by an existing business or industry in a defined area. Industry contribution analyses are particularly important to groups like trade organizations or businesses that would like to determine their overall economic contribution at their current production rate.

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Topics: Data, Economics, Contribution Analysis, Methodology, Association

What You Need to Know to Future-Proof Your Opportunity-Zone-Based Economic Impact Analyses

Posted by Tim French on May 24, 2019

Regulatory standards, depending on your reading of the latest IRS Tranches and guidance, have either changed or come into clearer focus when it comes to what the CDFI Fund identifies as a "successful" Opportunity Zone (OZ) project. Regardless of your reading of IRS's latest missives, there are a few tactics worth highlighting that will ensure that the economic impact analyses describing the significance of your projects and the potential economic significance of your program (or portfolios) will stand ready for review when the time comes to evaluate their contribution to the economic well-being of your service area.

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Topics: Data, Economics, Funding, Contribution Analysis, New Market Tax Credit, Methodology, "Taxes", Opportunity Zones

Things That Can Go Wrong with Mixed-Use Development Projects

Posted by Tim French on May 7, 2019

Many fail and few succeed when it comes to breaking ground on development projects as complicated as those in the mixed-use category. Some languish, some fail, and others suffer hostile take-downs. Still, there are a handful of foreseeable pitfalls which you can easily dodge while in the planning phase of a project. Here are a few of these traps that we’ve observed and how best to avoid them.

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Topics: Data, Economics, Employment, Funding, Methodology

The Many Tributaries of Big Data: Where Does U.S. Economic Data Come From?

Posted by Tim French on April 9, 2019

Economic data flows and collects from sources both varied and unique. But which sources are significant and why? And how complex does this world of big data get when it comes to trying to explore the economic landscape? Cue Ms. Frizzle’s “Seatbelts, everyone!” line and let’s take a tour of economic data sources on the Magic School Bus!

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Topics: Data, Economics, Technology, Methodology

Top 5 EDC Social Media Accounts & Tips

Posted by Taylor Johnson on March 26, 2019

The explosion of social media is a gold mine, especially for Economic Development Corporation’s (EDCs).

Why, you ask?

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Topics: Data, Economics, Methodology

Translating Real-World Survey Results into an Economic Impact Analysis

Posted by Tim French on March 21, 2019

Ever since the likes of IBM’s Watson, Google Trends, and Bloomberg Terminal emerged, data-driven decision making shifted from fad to fixture in the business world. But the fundamental shift that big data made in the world of research didn’t change which questions to ask, but rather how we ask those questions. Or, as Douglas Adams might say, you need to really know what you’re asking before you switch on Deep Thought.

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Topics: Data, Economics, Technology, Methodology

Why IMPLAN?

Put simply, IMPLAN is built for everyone.

Together, our software and data give you a window into your region of study — like one gigantic transaction log for the local economy. Chances are that if your project or business has a financial component, then IMPLAN can reveal some sometimes surprising detail about how your project relates to the local, state, or national economy.

What used to take economists weeks can be done in minutes. By anyone!

But you're not alone, IMPLAN's best benefits go beyond the work done in the tool:

  • Easy to learn and use
  • Outstanding customer support
  • Access to orientations, trainings, and project consultations
  • Instills confidence in your analyses

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