Information and Indicators: Keeping Tabs on the Local and State Economic Infrastructure

Abstract

State and local governments have become increasingly involved in economic development over the last decade. One difficulty they encountered was the lack of information that could be used to evaluate public investment decisions. Planners and analysts working for the public sector need to identify new and relevant data sources as well as develop new methods of analysis. The expertise and resources of universities can be an invaluable resource in this regard if appropriate initiatives are made a systemic part of each institution.