3 Economic Development Trends that are Closer than they Appear
The practice of economic development is like driving using only the side view mirrors – you can’t even see exactly where you’ve been, but you can see the edge of the path you’ve been taking. We try to...
View ArticleWhat’s New in Economic Impact
Having personally conducted and written more than 75 comprehensive economic impact studies using linear cash flow models for higher education and health care clients over my 16+ year career, I thought...
View ArticleSmall Towns, Great Gowns, Big Opportunities
In recent months our Fourth Economy team has been hard at work on several town-gown development projects. It’s time to share a few lessons learned. First, if you live in a smaller town and are...
View ArticleA Fourth Economy Work Product with Legs
One of the regular questions asked of our firm is “what Fourth Economy projects or reports have been implemented?” While we think all of them have added value and are implemented to some degree, one...
View ArticleTrends in Economic Impact
Universities make huge contributions to the US economy annually. However, understanding and communicating those contributions is not always realized nor easily demonstrated. Over the years, I’ve...
View ArticlePennsylvania Life Science Industry – A Quick Check on the Numbers
Two year’s ago this month the Fourth Economy team completed an assignment for the Pennsylvania Life Science Leadership Advisory Council. At a news event in May 2012 we participated in the release of...
View ArticleMade in [insert state name]
During our projects across the United States this past year, Fourth Economy has come across a number of initiatives for supporting local manufacturers and boosting the local economy. One approach...
View ArticleFEC Projects Impact for One-of-a-Kind Trail Plan: Pike2Bike
There is a potential big deal brewing in the world of trails. The FEC team always challenges our clients to identify their unique value proposition. What sets your community or region apart from all...
View ArticleHigher Eds use Economic Impact Studies for what?!
The answer is Higher Eds use economic and social impact studies for a lot of different reasons. Underlying is the desire to showcase their good work and demonstrate the value their work creates. And...
View ArticleForget the Smokestacks…Chase the Housing: A Case Study in Smaller City...
It has been a busy year here at Fourth Economy. Many projects have kept us hard at work, traveling across the country and meeting great folks. A theme among these projects has been a growing desire...
View ArticleNational Fourth Economy Community Index Lists Top 10 Mega-Sized Counties for...
Fourth Economy Consulting announces the latest release of its national community index, listing top counties from across the nation. The Fourth Economy Index highlights those communities ideally...
View ArticleIt’s all About that Base: Baseline Data, Energy Planning, & Economic Development
It’s no secret that the best strategic plans are based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, using this information to determine the best allocation of resources to pursue growth and change. Too...
View ArticleFormer Fourth Economy Client, Bedford County Planning, Advances “Pike2Bike” Plan
This past April, Bedford County (PA) Planning Officials hosted one of several stakeholder tours of the decommissioned Rays Hill and Sideling Hill tunnels – tunnels that formerly served as Pennsylvania...
View ArticleUpper Lawrenceville Community Visioning and Development Plan Receives “Great...
The Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA), in partnership with Project for Public Spaces (PPS), has recognized evolveEA’s work in Upper Lawrenceville, also known as Pittsburgh’s 10th Ward,...
View ArticleHow Bikes Build Communities
If you build it… These days it seems that new bicycle infrastructure appears every few months in Pittsburgh (a.k.a. Fourth Economy’s home) such as new signage, new bike lanes, and a brand new bike...
View ArticleIncreasing the Economic Impact of Trails
Across the country, communities are beginning to understand the economic value of developing trails. Though trail advocates and economic development organizations still often speak different...
View ArticleThe Challenge of Creating Actionable Plans
As part of our work in our hometown of Pittsburgh, we have been digging into all of the plans that have been created over the past five years or so. So far, we’ve found around two-dozen plans, reports,...
View ArticleFourth Economy Analyzes Pittsburgh Region Life Sciences
Pittsburgh Region Life Sciences Benchmarking & Opportunities Analysis The Pittsburgh Region Life Sciences Benchmarking & Opportunities Analysis report was prepared for the University of...
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