David A. Swenson

Will They Stay or Will They Go? Community Features Important in Migration Decisions of Recent University Graduates

Rural regions of the United States have experienced detrimental out-migration, or brain drain, of college-educated individuals. The present study used survey data, gathered with an interactive website tool containing a comprehensive collection of economic and lifestyle features, to determine those most important in migration decisions for public university graduating seniors from the rural state of Iowa. Economic features (overall cost of living and a strong local economy) were ranked as the top features, followed by lifestyle features including two surprising features (access to basic consumer goods and access to health facilities). The impact of individual differences on the likelihood of moving and the selection of desired community features was also examined and proved to be statistically significant. For instance, in comparison with female graduates, male graduates selected educational level of residents and higher percentage of nonmarried residents features more frequently. Implications for policy development and marketing and economic development strategies are discussed.

A Review of the Economic Rewards and Risks of Ethanol Production

Ethanol production doubled in a very short period of time in the U.S. due to a combination of natural disasters, political tensions, and much more demand globally from petroleum. Responses to this expansion will span many sectors of society and the economy. As the Midwest gears up to rapidly add new ethanol manufacturing plants, the existing regional economy must accommodate the changes. There are issues for decision makers regarding existing agricultural activities, transportation and storage, regional economic impacts, the likelihood of growth in particular areas and decline in others, and the longer term economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Many of these issues will have to be considered and dealt with in a simultaneous fashion in a relatively short period of time. This chapter investigates sets of structural, industrial, and regional consequences associated with ethanol plant development in the Midwest, primarily, and in the nation, secondarily. The first section untangles the rhetoric of local and regional economic impact claims about biofuels. The second section describes the economic gains and offsets that may accrue to farmers, livestock feeding, and other agri-businesses as production of ethanol and byproducts increase. The last section discusses the near and longer term growth prospects for rural areas in the Midwest and the nation as they relate to biofuels production.

Economic impact of university veterinary diagnostic laboratories: A case study

Veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) play a significant role in the prevention and mitigation of endemic animal diseases and serve an important role in surveillance of, and the response to, outbreaks of transboundary and emerging animal diseases. They also allow for business continuity in livestock operations and help improve human health. Despite these critical societal roles, there is no academic literature on the economic impact of VDLs. We present a case study on the economic impact of the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISUVDL). We use economic contribution analysis coupled with a stakeholder survey to estimate the impact. Results suggest that the ISUVDL is responsible for

Rural Housing Market Response to Nonfarm Employment Growth: An Analysis of Housing Development Patterns

2,162.46 million in direct output,

Determining the Regional Economic Values of Ethanol Production in Iowa Considering Different Levels of Local Investment

2,832.45 million in total output,

Input-Outrageous: The Economic Impacts of Modern Biofuels Production

1,158.19 million in total value added, and

Investigating the Potential Economic Impacts of Local Foods for Southeast Iowa

31.79 million in state taxes in normal years. In an animal health emergency this increases to

Selected Measures of the Economic Values of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Production and Consumption in the Upper Midwest

8,446.21 million in direct output,

Understanding Biofuels Economic Impact Claims

11,063.06 million in total output,

Biofuel, the rural economy, and farm structure

4,523.70 million in total value added, and