Regional Economics Commons^™

Differential Impacts Of Weather Anomalies On Household Energy Expenditure Shares: A Comparison Of Clustered Panel Analysis Methods, Jordan Champion

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

Recent emphasis on environmental justice has highlighted deficiencies in our energy system that produce disparities in accessibility and affordability for the most vulnerable. Meanwhile, the realities of a gradually warming climate and the onset of a global energy crisis (IEA 2022) have coincidently contributed to spikes in both energy prices and demand. These implications threaten to further exacerbate existing disparities for income-constrained and vulnerable populations, enhancing their risk of falling into prolonged insecurity. To ensure our transition to a just, sustainable future, we must first ensure equitable access to affordable and reliable energy for everyone. Combining household-level panel and state-level …

From Bushels To Barrels: A Descriptive Analysis Of The U.S. Whiskey Industry, Ryan Murphy

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. whiskey industry, emphasizing distilleries' geographic distribution, operational characteristics, and the agricultural landscapes surrounding them. Particular attention is given to the feasibility of U.S. distilleries locally sourcing grains used in production. Grain demand ranges were estimated for the 1,485 distilleries analyzed within this study. Using cropland and yield data from the USDA, local grain availability was approximated for comparison. Results indicate that a distillery's local sourcing feasibility is significantly impacted by its production capacity and geographic location.

Additionally, this research documents the development of an interactive web application designed to evaluate the …

Part 3: Does It Still Pay To Attend College In Virginia?, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

In 2022, more than 1 in 5 college graduates across the United States found themselves earning less than the national median income for high school graduates in the same graduating class year. In the same year, on average, 19.9% of graduates from four-year Virginia institutions of higher education earned less than the typical high school graduate 10 years after entry into college or university. In this chapter, we ask whether attending college is a ‘good deal’ for many Virginians.

Part 5: An Older Commonwealth, A Better Commonwealth, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

In this chapter, we examine how the population of Virginia has changed over time, with a specific focus on the resident population aged 65 and above. We break down the population aged 65 and above by sex and race and ask how these differences may impact the Commonwealth over time. We explore the characteristics of this population and discuss how Virginia is aging compared to its neighbors. We conclude with thoughts on how the ‘graying’ of Virginia may influence the demand for public goods and services in the future.

Industrial Hemp Production And Potential Risks In Kentucky, Hoyeon Jeong

Theses and Dissertations--Agricultural Economics

Since the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2014 and 2018 legalized Industrial Hemp (Cannabis Sativa. L), interest in grain, fiber, and floral hemp production has seen growing pains. As an emerging crop, there is a research gap in the impact of weather and agronomic conditions on hemp production including THC (Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol) and pollen drift as risks in hemp cultivation. The first essay aims to measure the impact of weather and agronomic factors on hemp grain, fiber, and floral yields in Kentucky using a yield-weather model with information on field locations. The results show that heat conditions during the growing …

Front Matter: 2024 State Of The Commonwealth Report, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

Cover, front matter, table of contents, sponsors, and other materials for the 2023 State of the Commonwealth Report authored by the Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University,

Part 1: Virginia's Economy Grows, Will Consumers Remain Unhappy?, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

By many measures, Virginia will set several records in 2024. Economic activity across the state will surpass that observed in 2023 and will represent the fourth consecutive year of economic growth. More Virginians will have been at work or looking for work than in any other year. Yet, if one asks Virginians about the state of the economy, their views are decidedly more pessimistic.

Part 4: Rising Disability Rates (Or Not): A Sign That We Care Or An Epidemic Problem In The Commonwealth?, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

In this chapter, we examine one particular corner of a much larger disability story --- those individuals who have a work history and subsequently seek to receive income from the Social Security Administration because of that disability. Contrary to what many people believe, both the number of applications for worker disability and rates of approval of those applications have trended downward in recent years. We examine how worker disability rates have changed over time across the nation and Commonwealth.

Relationships Between Local Revenue And Expenditure Policies And Urban Housing Markets, Lucas Taulbee

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

This dissertation consists of three essays on urban/local public finance, specifically residential property tax assessment and the provision of local public services. A general theme of the essays is the interplay between local financial policies and housing markets. Both revenue (tax) and expenditure policies can have significant effects on housing prices which can, in turn, have feedback effects on current and future revenues and expenditures. In the first chapter, Assessment Regressivity and Capitalization of Property Taxes, I consider assessment regressivity, the phenomenon in which higher-priced homes tend to be underassessed while lower priced homes tend to be overassessed. This may …

Essays On Public And Nonprofit Financial Dynamics, Yunjun Kim

Theses and Dissertations--Public Policy and Administration

This dissertation consists of three essays that explore different dimensions of financial dynamics in the public and nonprofit sectors. Each chapter examines how the fiscal behavior of neighboring jurisdictions, policy interventions, and financial practices influence fiscal decision-making and financial performance within these entities.

In the first essay, I investigate yardstick competition in local government spending in South Korea by leveraging the exogenous variation introduced by by-elections. This approach allows me to estimate the influence of neighboring jurisdictions on local expenditures. Contrary to previous empirical studies from other countries, my findings reveal no significant interdependence in spending among South Korean municipalities, …

Is West Virginia A Haven For Disabled Workers? An Evolving Story, James V. Koch, Robert M. Mcnab

Economics Faculty Publications

With a particular focus on West Virginia, this study utilizes state-level monthly panel data over 13 years (2010-2022) to examine the determinants of the rates of application of individuals for Social Security Administration disabled worker income payments (SSDI) and the initial recommendations of those applications for approval by the states. Application rates are particularly sensitive to the educational attainment of state populations and approval rates to economic conditions. However, in contrast to media coverage and public perceptions, both the number of applications for SSDI and approval rates have been declining nationally and in West Virginia.

Revolutionizing Lithium Extraction: Analysis Of Factors Affecting Commercialization Timelines With Insights From The Shale Gas Boom, Bilge Tayyar

CMC Senior Theses

This study draws parallels between Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and hydraulic fracturing to highlight the transformative potential of DLE technology in the lithium industry. The comparative analysis supports the hypothesis that DLE might expedite commercialization timelines, similar to the effect hydraulic fracturing has had on traditional shale gas extraction. The study includes a regression analysis to determine the factors affecting the commercialization of conventional lithium brine extraction methods, thereby better understanding the potential changes DLE will create. The regression model, based on data from 11 projects, examines the impact of variables such as temperature range, tax rates, royalty rates, regulatory …

The Resilient Rebound Of Tourism To Sustainable Levels, Melissa Weddell, Kara Grau

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

No abstract provided.

State Of The Northwest Arkansas Region 2024 Report, Mervin Jebaraj, Kashfia Kamal

State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report

The State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report is an annual publication commissioned by the Northwest Arkansas Council that serves as a tool for evaluating economic performance. In July 2018, the Council created a new blueprint for development, benchmarking Northwest Arkansas against other high-performing regions, including Austin, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Madison, Wis.; Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Provo-Orem, Utah. The 2024 report compares Northwest Arkansas with these regions in GDP, employment, unemployment, establishment growth, median household income, average annual wages, poverty, educational attainment, research and development, homeownership costs, commuting time and average domestic airfares.

Highlights Of The Borderplex Economic Outlook To 2025, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Steven L. Fullerton

Border Region Modeling Project

No abstract provided.

Mexico Consensus Economic Forecast, Volume 27, Number 1, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Steven L. Fullerton

Border Region Modeling Project

No abstract provided.

A Case Study Analysis Of The Financial Structure Of Boko Haram In Nigeria, John O. Opara

Department of Conflict Resolution Studies Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the various techniques used by Boko Haram (BH) to source funds for its violent activities in Nigeria. The study also examined the reasons why the group maintains support from the locals and others despite the violence the group has caused in Nigeria. A case study qualitative research technique was selected by using Key Informant Interviews (KII) and relevant document review to gather data to address the central questions of why Boko Haram has support, and why it maintains a strong financial structure. Findings of the study revealed that Boko Haram has several sources of funding and support …

Borderplex Business Barometer, Volume 8, Number 1, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Steven L. Fullerton

Border Region Modeling Project

No abstract provided.

A Tale Of Two Working Landscapes, Sage C. Sutcliffe

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

2024 Bber Economic Seminar - Montana Tourism Outlook Presentation, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

No abstract provided.