Contribution Analysis of Pathfinder Event Center on the Local Economy
Primary Topic:
Community & Economic Development
Other Topics:
4-H & Youth, Food Systems, Health & Wellbeing
Lead Mentor:
Willie Wilkins
Mountain Region Specialist Vibrant Communities
Internship Overview:
We were approached by Fremont County Extension staff to study the local contribution on the economy from the existence of an event center that was built with grant funds. Fremont County owns the building thus in charge of Maintenace, upkeep and any need improvements. The hope of this intern work is to collect data and use IMPLAN to provide an economic contribution analysis in hopes that the analysis proves an economic benefit to the community from this facility. Additionally, we plan to develop something that serves as a template/tool kit for future inquiries of this nature.
Goals, Scope and Objectives:
The goal is to provide an analysis of using data of an existing structure and the economic benefit to the local economy.
The scope of this work will include collecting labor cost, operating/maintenance cost and income (from events-single and multi-use) generated data, using the program IMPLAN input data, e.g. sales, and provide estimates of direct, indirect and induced economic impacts. Secondarily we think this will also be an exercise in telling a story / narrative with available data. The objective is to create a report that shows this facility is or is not a benefit to the local economy. A secondary hope from this work is to ultimately to create a template to be able to do this work for other communities.
The scope of this work will include collecting labor cost, operating/maintenance cost and income (from events-single and multi-use) generated data, using the program IMPLAN input data, e.g. sales, and provide estimates of direct, indirect and induced economic impacts. Secondarily we think this will also be an exercise in telling a story / narrative with available data. The objective is to create a report that shows this facility is or is not a benefit to the local economy. A secondary hope from this work is to ultimately to create a template to be able to do this work for other communities.
With which stakeholder group(s) will the intern work?
We will be working with the local extension office, the facility manager, county manager and other local stakeholders.
What student learning outcomes do you anticipate and what are the opportunities for professional development?
The anticipated outcome of this internship is to collect and analyze quantitative data to generate a report useful to the county of Fremont. Other outcomes will include working with local stakeholders and government officials to create a product that is useful and informative towards decision making. This internship will include critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration with a series of stakeholders. All of these are skills and talents used in the professional world.
