Regional Economics Commons^™

Metropolitan Business Cycle Analysis For Lubbock, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Macie Z. Subia

Departmental Papers (E & F)

This study develops a business cycle index (BCI) for Lubbock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The Stock & Watson (1989; 1991; 1993) methodology is used to develop the BCI and assumes that the co-movements of key economic indicators have a single underlying, unobservable factor. This factor is extracted from the indicators and used to calculate an index that represents economic conditions through an econometric approach. The model uses the Kalman filter smoothing approach which smooths across variables and over time. This results in an index that is smoother with less pronounced expansions and recessions. Indicator series used for the study are: …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: February 17, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 rose by 1.97% during January of 2017. The rapid increase in the LEI-N, which predicts economic activity six months in the future, reversed a drop in the indicator during November and December of 2016. The increase during January suggests that growth will improve in Nebraska in the second half of 2017. Business expectations, building permits and manufacturing hours all improved during January. There also an a decline in initial claims for unemployment insurance in January following a sharp increase during December. The value of the U.S. dollar was steady during January, a …

Nebraska Business And Consumer Confidence Indexes: February 3, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

Both business and consumer confidence improved in Nebraska in January 2017, but the gap between the two measures remained. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) stood at 89.2 during January, well below the neutral value of 100. The outlook of Nebraska businesses, by contrast, was positive. The Business Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) stood at 107.8 in January, well above the neutral value. Both values were somewhat higher than in December 2016. When asked about the most important issue facing their business, customer demand was mentioned by 30 percent of business respondents, labor availability and quality by 22 percent …

Southern Border Recession Predictability In The United States: 1990-2015, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Elías D. Saenz-Rojo, Adam G. Walke

Border Region Modeling Project

Prior research establishes that the spread between long- and short-term bond yields often provides valuable information for predicting business cycle downturns. This study examines the predictive capacity of the yield spread for United States metropolitan economies situated along the border with Mexico. Because of the location of these urban economies and various economic ties linking them with twin cities across the border, the Mexico yield spread, and the real dollar/peso exchange rate are also employed as potential recession predictors. Results suggest that a flattening of the yield curve for either country tends to increase the probability of recessions in border …

Production Of Energy And Environmental Protection As A Prerequisite For Sustainable Development, Diana Baus

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This paper explains why renewable energy is a prerequisite for sustainable development. The development of renewable energy sources is important because renewable energy sources have a very important role in reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere, eradicate poverty and increase the employment rate. In the first section the paper introduces renewable energy sources. The focus is on the function of solar energy, wind power, biomass, geothermal energy, and hydroelectric energy and their implementation globally. The second part of the paper elaborates on the economic, political, and social aspects for the development of renewable energy sources. …

Mseel Project Context: State Of The Region (2001-2014), Caleb Stair, Sriparna Ghosh, Randall Jackson

Regional Research Institute Resource Documents

The Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory, or MSEEL is the nation’s first integrated research initiative on shale gas drilling. An experimental hydraulic fracturing gas well is the centerpiece of the MSEEL project, "which West Virginia University launched in fall 2014 in partnership with Northeast Natural Energy, the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy and Ohio State University. The five-year, $11 million project is the first-ever long-term, comprehensive field study of shale gas resources in which scientists will study the process from beginning-to-end.1 ” Because one dimension of the MSEEL analysis is the economic impacts and …

Nebraska Monthly Economic Indicators: January 20, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The Leading Economic Indicator – Nebraska (LEI-N) 1 fell by 0.50% during December of 2016. The decline in the LEI-N, which predicts economic activity six months in the future, follows a drop of 0.39% during November. The two consecutive declines suggest that economic growth will be weak in Nebraska during the second quarter of 2017. Business expectations were strong in December but other components of the LEI-N were negative. In particular, there was a sharp jump in initial claims for unemployment insurance during the month, suggesting a softening in labor market conditions. There also was another increase in the value …

Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska And Survey Of Nebraska Business: January 6, 2017, Eric Thompson

Leading Economic Indicator Reports

The gap between business and consumer confidence persisted in Nebraska through December of 2016. The Consumer Confidence Index – Nebraska (CCI-N) stood at 88.2 during December, well below the neutral value of 100. The outlook of Nebraska businesses, by contrast, was positive with respondents to the Survey of Nebraska Business expecting to increase both sales and employment over the next 6 months. In particular, 31 percent of businesses expect sales to increase over the next 6 months while just 18 percent expect sales to fall. Fifteen percent of businesses expect to expand employment while 3 percent expect to reduce it. …

Is Growth In Outstate Missouri Tied To Growth In The Saint Louis And Kansas City Metro Areas?, Howard J. Wall

Center for Applied Economics

Because the Saint Louis and Kansas City metro areas together account for well over half of Missouri’s economy, the overall performance of the state is largely determined by the two metro areas. In this study, I see whether the metro areaas are important to the state beyond their relative sizes. That is, I test whether employment growth in the rest of Missouri tends to follow (or be caused by) employment growth in the metro areas.

Tax Credits As A Tool Of State Economic Development Policy, Howard J. Wall

Center for Applied Economics

Tax credits come in many forms and serve an array of purposes, although economic development is central to their existence. Although tax credits come in many forms, they all share a basic structure: They are provided to a private entity for a specific project, usually to enhance the entity’s ability to obtain financing. The holder of a tax credit can apply it against his or her tax liabilities according to its redemption value, its redemption date, and other rules governing the credit.

This paper summarizes the findings in the economics literature on the effectiveness of state tax credits in spurring …

Is There A Link Between Economic Freedom And State Economic Growth?, R. W. Hafer

Center for Applied Economics

Increasing the reach of government into everyday economic interactions, whether through the government as a consumer/producer or as a taker of taxes, is not likely to create an environment in which economic activity will flourish. Improving economic growth requires that individuals and firms make decisions that allow them to combine labor, capital, and technology to produce goods and services. This means that increased government intrusion into the market, onerous regulations, and lack of competition in labor markets all can hinder economic growth. The question addressed in this study is: Does Missouri’s record in promoting economic freedom help explain its lack …

Part 2: Virginia's Metros: Running To Stand Still?, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

The Commonwealth’s economy is the sum of its regional parts, however different they may be. After most regions performed poorly in 2016, there are signs that 2017 may be a more positive year. We delve into data on employment, jobs and taxable sales to ask whether the good news will last.

State Of The Northwest Arkansas Region 2017 Report, Mervin Jebaraj

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 the economic performance of the region. In January 2015, the Northwest Arkansas Council created a new blueprint for development that outlines the peer regions and a strategic action agenda for 2015-2017. In the three-year plan, the performance of Northwest Arkansas is benchmarked with other contemporary, high-performing regions, namely Austin, Des Moines, Madison, Durham-Chapel Hill and Raleigh. The 2017 State of the Region Report compares Northwest Arkansas with these geographies in the areas of gross domestic …

The Economic Impact Of The Marine Leisure Industry On Cork Harbour, Aisling Conway Lenihan, Helen Mcguirk

Publications

This report, commissioned by the Cool Route Project,presents the economic impact of the Marine Leisure Industry in Cork Harbour. The Cool Route Project, funded byInterreg VB1funding, “investigates all aspects of the practical logistics and business potential to establish a bi-directional yacht cruising route along the western offshore areas of the Northern Periphery Area, stretching from Co. Cork in the South of Ireland, to the UK (Northern Ireland and Western Scotland) and onwards to the Faroe Islands and Norway”(Cool Route 2017).Led by theCork Institute of Technology (CIT), the Project partners, also include the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Donegal County Council, Derry …

Part 1: Waiting For Godot? Virginia Impatiently Anticipates The End Of Sequestration, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Commonwealth Reports

The Commonwealth’s lackluster economic performance in 2016 highlights a lost decade of slow economic growth. The dependence on federal spending presents challenges to stimulating growth when discretionary federal spending is constrained by sequestration. We investigate the reasons for the slow pace of economic activity and ask whether new efforts to spur innovation and entrepreneurship are a step in the right direction.

Life In Hampton Roads Survey Press Release #7: Economics And Tourism, Social Science Research Center, Old Dominion University

Life in Hampton Roads Survey Report

This report examines regional perceptions of economic conditions and tourism from the 2017 Life In Hampton Roads survey (LIHR 2017) conducted by the Old Dominion University Social Science Research Center. Data from prior years is also provided when available to show comparisons in responses over time. Responses were weighted by city population, race, age, gender, and phone usage (cell versus land-line) to be representative of the Hampton Roads region.

Front Matter: The State Of The Region Hampton Roads 2017, 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 2017 State of the Region Report authored by the Center for Economic Analysis and Policy at Old Dominion University.

Part 1: We May Have Turned The Economic Corner, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

The outlook for increased regional economic growth has improved. Each of the major building blocks of our regional economy (defense, the Port, tourism) has gained momentum and our housing market continues to show slow, but steady improvement.

Part 3: Who Delivers Health Care In Hampton Roads Today? The Rise Of Nonphysician Professionals, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Health care in our region increasingly is being delivered by nonphysician professionals, who include nurses and physician assistants. We trace the development of this trend and its implications for the future.

Part 2: Airbnb In Virginia Beach, Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Airbnb has become an increasingly significant competitor to conventional hotels throughout the United States, and Virginia Beach is no exception. The rise of Airbnb is yet another manifestation of the emergence of the “gig” economy.