​These are important questions  - whether to highlight the benefits of a project or industry, to aid in economic development policy analysis and decision-making, to inform the public, or to obtain grant funding.  Highland Economics has answered these questions for diverse clients across a wide variety of government agencies, private industries, projects, and policies.

​

Highland Economics staff have been conducting economic impact studies for over fifteen years with Highland principal Barbara Wyse leading the practice area.  Our work is highly defensible, with our economists serving as expert witnesses and providing economic impact analyses used by diverse private entities and local, state, and federal government agencies.   Economic impact analyses can vary significantly by analyst based on the rigor of the analysis and the use of local data versus 'out of the box' multipliers. At Highland, we clearly differentiate between "with Project" and "without Project" impacts, and groundtruth our results and customize our economic impact models through local interviews and information to ensure accuracy and defensibility of results. 

​

We have analyzed the impact of state-wide regulations and policies such as those governing overtime rules or forest management.  We have worked with regions estimating the downturn in their economy from shifts in economci activity and business closures, as well as projected the economic impact of proposed policies and strategies to promote economic development and minimize economic disruption.  Our economists have experience estimating the jobs, income and tax impacts of industries, projects, economic development policies, and regulations in the following sectors:

 

• Forestry
   

• Recreation and Tourism
   

• Wind and Solar Energy Development

 

• Oil and Gas Development

 

• Linear Facilities (pipelines, railroads, transmission lines, etc)

 

• Mining

 

• Residential Development

 

• Irrigated Agriculture

 

• Water Development

 

• Industrial Facilities

 

• Habitat Restoration 

 

 

Example Economic Impact Analysis Projects

​

Economic Impact of Haile Gold Mine, South Carolina

 

In this project, we constructed a detailed regional economic impact model (using IMPLAN software) to estimate how construction and operation activities at the mine would directly and indirectly support jobs and income in the regional economy.  We closely analyzed all factors that would determine the level of local economic impact, including commuting patterns (i.e., the proportion of labor thatwould be provided from outside the region), the local pool of skilled available workers, the proportion of mining construction and operation jobs that are specialized and highly skilled, experiences from other regions, and the availability of local housing.

 

Economic Impact of Additional Surface Water and Groundwater Supplies, California

 

For Kern County Water Agency, Highland Economics annually conducts an assessment of the regional economc impact of importing water to augment local supplies; the water is used for agricultural irrigation and to recharge groundwater supplies. The direct benefits of the water supply augmentation include additional cultivated agricultural acreage, as well as lower groundwater pumping costs (due to reduced depth to groundwater) to all groundwater users.  We estimate the increased agricultural production value by crop as well as the energy cost savings to Kern County, and then develop a customized IMPLAN model of the Kern County economy to estimate total economic impact of the water supplies.  Our customized IMPLAN impact model accurately reflects the agricultural crops and practices in the area, based on local crop budgets and information from local growers.  We use this model to estimate how direct impacts in the agricultural industry translate into total job and income impacts (including direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts) in the Kern County economy. Our final results and study provide insight into the economic relationship between  water supply and total income and employment int eh county, and provide support for a local tax that partially funds the water imports.

 

Economic Impact of a New Manufacturing Facility, Oregon

 

Highland Economics conducted an economic impact study for a confidential client regarding the economic impact of a new manufacturing facility.  To estimate the direct economic contribution of the facilty, we developed detailed expenditure data for both the construction and operation phases.  We also carefully identified where materials and labor would be sourced from, so as to attribute the correct level of economic benefits to the regional or state economies.  Highland Economics worked with equipment manufacturers and contractors to develop expenditure estimates for construction scenarios (including the type and cost of materials and labor required, and the location from which these would be manufactured or supplied).  We also worked with the client to estimate direct operating employment and expenditures.  We then analyzed this direct impact information in an IMPLAN regional economic impact model to estimate total (direct, indirect, and induced) economic impacts in terms of jobs, income, and ouptut.  Study results highlighted the economic contribution of the project to the  local and the state economies.

 

Economic Impact of Reduced Irrigation Water Supplies, California

 

For Merced Irrigation District, Highland Economics (as a subcontractor) is estimating the regional econoimc impact of reduced irrigation supplies, considering not only the on-farm production effects but also potential effects on producton by food processors. This involves researching agricultural productivity in the study area, and understanding the forward linkage relationships that exist between growers and processors. To accomplish this, we have gathered statistical data on agricultural output, tailored crop budgets to the study area, and are conducting interviews with growers and processors. We developed a customized IMPLAN impact model that accurately reflects the agricultural crops and practices in the area, and provides the most accurate estimates of value added, jobs, and labor income supported by agriculture.  We used this model to estimate how direct impacts at the farm and food processing manufacturing industry translate into total job and income impacts (including direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts) in the county economy. Our final results and study provide insight into the economic relationship between  water supply, agricultural producers, food processors, and the economic dependence of othe Merced County economy on the agricultural sector.