Regional Economics Commons^™

Part 2: The Pillars Of The Hampton Roads Economy Remain Strong, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads is a region rich with assets – a talented and diverse labor force, a distinctive role in the national security of the nation, a deep-water port that continues to set records, and beaches and amenities that attract visitors from near and far. The region’s economic performance is closely aligned with these assets. Defense spending, the Port of Virginia, and the hospitality and tourism industry are often referred to as the “Three Pillars” of the Hampton Roads economy – pillars that have continued to perform well in the aftermath of the economic shock of 2020. In this chapter, we …

Front Matter: The State Of The Region, Hampton Roads 2023, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Cover, Front Matter, Table of Contents, Sponsors, and other materials for the 2023 The State of the Region Report authored by the Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University.

Part 6: Should Taxpayers Subsidize Private Facilities In Hampton Roads? Glitz Vs. Reality, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads can learn from the experience of other cities and states. If there is a strong business case for a sports stadium, sports park, or entertainment venue, then investors should be able to tap into financial markets. In this chapter, we examine the arguments surrounding public investments in highly visible facilities. We pose questions that should be asked when considering such investments and explore the potential opportunity costs of these projects. We offer a cautionary tale that such projects are sold as transformative but often fail to generate the promised benefits, not only for taxpayers but also for the …

Part 3: The Fourth Pillar: Veterans In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

In 2021, more than 1 in 10 residents of Hampton Roads identified themselves as a veteran of military service. Among these veterans, almost 1 in 3 were military retirees. With thousands of active-duty service members separating from service in Hampton Roads every year, we ask what is the impact of these veterans on the regional economy. We find that working-age veterans in Hampton Roads are more likely to participate in the labor force than their non-veteran counterparts and that the presence of veterans brings billions of dollars into the region.

Part 4: Get On The Bus: Public Transportation In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

In many countries, public transportation is a cornerstone of urban life. In Hampton Roads, public transportation is in a moment of transition, sparked by technological change, pandemic disruptions, a growing emphasis on social equity, and a longer term loss of riders. In this chapter, we discuss who provides public transportation in Hampton Roads. We explore the economics of public transportation and ask what the future holds for public transportation in the region

Part 7: The Virginia Museum Of Contemporary Art: Challenges, Opportunities, And Economic Impact, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Museums are a part of the cultural life of a region and a component of the regional economy. The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach is one such museum. The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (Virginia MOCA for short) is a cultural jewel that continues to provide the region with remarkable artistic resources and programming. In this chapter, we explore how museums can contribute to economic activity and explore the economic impact of the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.

Part 5: Death And Dying In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Death and taxes may be inevitable, but where we die is usually not a topic of public policy or discussion. Hospice care is the specialized treatment that provides support and comfort to patients who are terminally ill with a general life expectancy of six months or less. In this chapter, we take a close look at serious disease and hospice care in the United States and Virginia. We examine the demand for hospice care by Medicare beneficiaries as well as the changing nature of hospice care suppliers as now more than two-thirds of hospices nationwide operate as for-profit entities.

The State Of The Region: Hampton Roads 2023, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University, Vinod Agarwal, Aliou Ousmane Ba, Barbara Blake, Elizabeth Janik, Nikki Johnson, James V. Koch, Feng Lian, Terry Parker, Matt Voegel

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

This is Old Dominion University’s 24th annual State of the Region Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the university, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, Brian Hemphill, Ph.D., the Board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy.

Over the past year, we have experienced rising interest rates, persistent inflation, and the continued impact of geopolitical shocks on our daily lives. We live, for better or worse, in interesting …

Part 1: Growth Returns, Now Make It Last, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

There is some good news to report. Hampton Roads gained population but population growth continues to slow. A record number of residents were at work or looking for work in 2023. A record number of residents of the region reported they were employed in 2023. The number of jobs continued to recovery from the depths of the 2020 economic shock, however, a full recovery may not occur until 2024. Economic growth sharply rebounded from the declines of 2020, and we expect growth to continue in 2023. The region’s economic performance, however, continues to lag many of its peers.

In Memoriam: Arthur Diamonstein, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Arthur Diamonstein, a former rector of Old Dominion University’s Board of Visitors, died in Norfolk on Aug. 14. He was 92.

Part 1: Inflation, Drones, And The Economy Of Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

2022 may be characterized as the “best of times and worst of times.” Unemployment continued to fall, wages continued to rise, and homeowners experienced rises in property values. Hotels continued to rebound from the COVID-19 economic shock and the Port of Virginia experienced record volumes of cargo traffic. On the other hand, prices at the grocery store, gas station, and, it seems, almost everywhere else, continued to rise. Employers struggled to find the right employees at the right time and economic sentiment soured. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlighted the continuing revolution in military affairs brought about by drones and other …

Front Matter: The State Of The Region: Hampton Roads 2022, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Cover, Front Matter, Table of Contents, Sponsors, and other materials for the 2022 The State of the Region Report authored by the Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University.

Part 3: Splish - Splash - Cash: Swimming In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads is known for its relationship with water. For some, it is too much water in the wrong place at the wrong time. For others, it is how water can transform lives. Hampton Roads is home to several premier swimming organizations, and Hampton is opening a state-of-the-art aquatics facility. We explore how swimming is intertwined with the history of the region and the economic impact of the sport on the economy and lives of the region’s resident

Part 2: The Rent Is Too Damn High: Housing In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Is Hampton Roads an affordable place to live? At first glance, median rents and housing values are below those of the closest major metropolitan areas. Comparing housing costs to household income yields a different conclusion: more than 1 in 3 households in Hampton Roads paid more than 30% of their income for housing and 1 in 7 households paid more than 50% of their income for housing. In this chapter, we explore housing affordability in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and the United States and ask what the region can do to make housing more affordable.

Part 6: Perhaps I Won't Go To Law School After All: Lawyers In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

While movies and television shows portray lawyers as members of high society, with expensive cars and tastes, the reality in Hampton Roads is grittier. Between 2005 and 2021, lawyers’ real income in the region declined by more than 25%. In this chapter, we explore the supply of lawyers in Hampton Roads and whether we are producing too many lawyers for economic conditions in the region. We ask what the future may hold for the legal profession in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and the nation.

Part 5: Strangers In A Strange Land: Finding Refuge In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

In 2021, a record breaking 90 million people were forcibly displaced, fleeing war, violence, human rights violations, and persecution. In early 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine added to this toll, pushing the estimated number of refugees past the 100- million- person mark This chapter explores how all of these developments are affecting Hampton Roads, which has received more than 300 Afghans and other political refugees over the past eighteen months.

The State Of The Region: Hampton Roads 2022, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University, Vinod Agarwal, Christen Black, Barbara Blake, Bojana Bolozan, Ashley Desilva, Joseph Hollar, Elizabeth Janik, Nikki Johnson, James V. Koch, Tim Komarek, Feng Liang, Sharon Lomax, Christian Manty, Janet Molinaro, Christian Moore, Brendan O'Hallarn, Terry Parker, Matt Voegel, Suzanne M. Wright

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

[From the introductory material]

This is Old Dominion University’s 23rd annual State of the Region Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the university, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., the Board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy.

Over the past year, we have experienced the continued uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise of inflation, and geopolitical shocks that have affected our daily …

Part 4: Does Hampton Roads Have Enough Nurses?, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

In 2021, nurses ranked again as the most trusted profession in the United States. Yet, even though many Americans view nurses favorably, nurses have been the target of conspiracy theories, verbal abuse, and yes, physical violence. As more nurses report symptoms of burnout and some are quitting the profession entirely, we explore the coming shortage of nurses in Hampton Roads, Virginia and the United States and ask what factors limit the supply of nurses in the region.

Part 1: Shock And Awe? Covid-19, Vaccines, And The Recovery, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

The COVID-19 pandemic shook the Hampton Roads economy. One in 10 workers were unemployed at the height of the pandemic, 4 in 10 small businesses were forced to reduce hours and thousands of residents left the labor force entirely. Yet, in the midst of the pandemic, housing prices and trade volumes through the Port of Virginia continued to rise. We explore the economic recovery and discuss whether Hampton Roads can rely on defense spending in the coming decade.

Part 2: Bounce Back? The Pandemic And Tourism In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Nearly 1 in 5 workers in the Hampton Roads hospitality and leisure sector lost their jobs in 2020. Even as the sector started to recover, employers found themselves in need of employees to fill available positions. Now, with tourists returning to the region, we look at how traditional hotels and short-term rentals fared over the last 18 months

Part 3: Earn While You Learn: The Apprentice School At Newport News Shipbuilding, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

The Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding is not only one of the nation’s premier schools for educating and training workers, but it also stands as an example of how 21st-century learning can occur in the region. In this chapter, we look at the apprenticeship model and delve into the unique aspects of The Apprentice School that have made it successful.

Part 4: All In: Casinos, Online Betting And The Future Of Gambling In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

In 1987, Virginia voters approved the state lottery, bringing legalized gambling to the Commonwealth. Fast forward to 2021: Virginians can now buy lottery tickets online, place sports bets on their phones and wager in historical horse racing parlors. Now, with casinos opening soon in Norfolk and Portsmouth, as well as Bristol, Danville and, likely, Richmond, we discuss the benefits and costs of casinos in Hampton Roads

Part 7: Securing Release: Cash Bail In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis & Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

On any given day in 2019, on average, there were more pretrial inmates per 100,000 residents in Hampton Roads than in Virginia or the United States. To secure their release from jail, many inmates must provide collateral in the form of a secured bond. Now, with momentum building for reducing or eliminating cash bail in the Commonwealth, we estimate the costs and benefits of cash bail reform for cities and counties in Hampton Roads.

Part 6: The Decline Of Local Journalism, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Local journalism is in peril. Newspapers all over the country are reducing coverage, cutting staff, abandoning physical newsrooms or shuttering operations altogether. The United States has lost fully one-fourth of its newspapers since 2004, including 70 dailies and more than 2,000 weeklies and other nondaily papers. Hampton Roads has not escaped these cutbacks. We discuss the future of local journalism in Hampton Roads.

The State Of The Region: Hampton Roads 2021, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University, Vinod Agarwal, Barbara Blake, Steve Daniel, Ashley Desilva, Addie Gregory, Elizabeth Janik, Nikki Johnson, James V. Koch, Tim Komarek, Feng Lian, Sharon Lomax, Christian Manty, Janet Molinaro, Brendan O'Hallarn, Hannah White, Jake Zalewski

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

[From the introductory material]

This is Old Dominion University’s 22nd annual State of the Region Report. While it represents the work of many people connected in various ways to the university, the report does not constitute an official viewpoint of Old Dominion, its president, Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., the Board of Visitors, the Strome College of Business or the generous donors who support the activities of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy.

Over the past year, we have endured the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of vaccines and a return to a semblance of normality in …

Front Matter: The State Of The Region: Hampton Roads 2020, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Cover, Front Matter, Table of Contents, Sponsors, and other materials for the 2020 The State of the Region report authored by the Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University

Part 1: A Shock To The System: Covid-19 And Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

COVID-19 changed how we view the Hampton Roads economy. In January 2020, the region was projected to grow faster than the nation, there were more unfilled jobs than unemployed workers and boosts in defense spending brightened our economic future. By April, however, businesses were closing, jobs were being lost and residents were under a stay-at-home order. We assess the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic and examine prospects for the coming year.

Part 3: Anxiety And Stress In The Workplace, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Workplace stress and anxiety cost the Hampton Roads economy more than $1 billion in lost productivity and health care expenditures in 2019. We explore the economic impact of workplace anxiety, stress and depression. We highlight how COVID-19 has increased anxiety and taken a toll on African American and Hispanic households. We ask how businesses can help alleviate anxiety and stress in a time of economic uncertainty.

Part 2: The Way We Were: 2010-2019, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated social distancing measures, the challenges of the last decade seem almost trivial in comparison. Yet, those challenges hold valuable lessons for our current economic environment and how to build a better economy in this decade. We take a fresh look at the previous decennial – our economic successes and areas where we could improve – and provide insight into how these experiences can help us recover in the coming years.

Part 4: Food Insecurity In Hampton Roads, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

One in 10 residents of Hampton Roads was unsure where their next meal was coming from in 2018. Among children, food insecurity rates were even higher in the region. Food insecurity reduces workplace productivity and learning, and negatively impacts health. We discuss how public programs and regional foodbanks are working to address these problems in Hampton Roads.