Community Economic Toolbox

What parts of the local economy have been growing?

Which industries have been declining?

How does the local economy compare to other nearby economies?

What are the factors leading to local employment growth?

How do we identify new opportunities?

Communities today face real challenges in this globalizing world. Jobs, incomes, education, proximity of family members, and general well-being are all tied to a community economy's effectiveness, dynamism, and resiliency. More than ever before, citizens, public and private employers, and civil servants are actively involved in critically examining their local economies as they plan their economic futures. To be successful, everyone involved needs to know how their economy works--its strengths, weaknesses, and hidden potential.

Amy Glasmeier, Professor of Economic Geography at Penn State University, has designed a terrific web site to enable anyone interested in their local economy to use standard indicators to make a first cut at understanding its potential. Various tools and links let you look at any county in the United States.  Just select a state and county that you are interested in and hit submit.  The program generates a series of charts, graphs and tables – and best of all – helps you interpret the results.  Various topics examined include age and age groups, education, labor force, employment by industry, rate of population change, employment growth index, industrial mix share and much, much more.  So, look at Waldo County then try out another county that friends, family or competitors live in.   

The site is www.economictoolbox.geog.psu.edu/