Prepared by the Center for Business and Economic Research Ball State University | October 2012

Indiana Community Asset

Inventory and Rankings (CAIR)

- Part of Indiana’s Statewide initiative T21

Purpose▸The purpose of this project is to provide Indiana policy makers and residents with an objective, data-driven assessment of the factors that influence the quality of life and the economic conditions within each county.

Purpose▸The Community Asset Inventory Rankings project (CAIR) provides a detailed asset inventory of variables that describe:

▸the educational attainment and health of Hoosier citizens,

▸the performance of K-12 education and local government efficiency and cost,

▸the availability of natural resource and cultural amenities, and the level to which these have been augmented by local public investment and private recreational and arts activities.

Background▸ Project initiated in February, 2012 with the

Indiana Department of Tourism Development (an agency of the Lieutenant Governor’s office)

▸ It was a component of “T21”,a tourism development project designed to identify opportunities for broader collaboration among Convention/Visitors Bureaus and other economic development organizations

▸ Officially launched on April 3rd, 2012

Background▸ Few policy makers – and even fewer citizens –

enjoy easy access to data and analysis that provide insight into where their communities stand across different comparative data elements.

▸ Yet the importance of community attributes in determining the economic vitality and prosperity of communities is well understood among those who seriously study economic development.

Methodology▸ Several studies across many disciplines link specific

types of data to long-term prosperity such as ▸ human capital, ▸ school performance, ▸ government efficiency, ▸ quality of place, and ▸ health outcomes.

▸ Using readily available public data sets, we collected and categorized them into clear categories.

▸ Site selectors and relocation consultants use these data sets routinely, but typically maintain proprietary or subscription-based data sets.

Categories/Variables▸ Seven categories were identified

▸ People – population growth, poverty rate, unemployment rate, private foundations revenue per capita, and other nonprofit revenue per capita.

▸ Human capital: Education – percent of students who passed the ISTEP English and Math sections, educational attainment, and high school graduation rate.

Categories/Variables▸ Human capital: Health – fertility rate,

death rate, premature death rate, poor and fair health rate, poor physical and mental health days, motor vehicle crash death rate, cancer incidence rate, lung and bronchus incidence rate, asthma rate; number of primary care providers; and access to healthy food.

▸ Government impact & economy - crime rate, effective tax rate, main street programs, and metropolitan development.

Categories/Variables ▸ Public Amenities (static) – forests, fish and

wildlife areas, dedicated nature preserves, bodies of water, and shore lines.

▸ Public Amenities (changeable) – public parks, historic and cultural sites, fishing and boating areas, camping or RV parks, hiking/walking trails, beaches, and school grounds.

Categories/Variables ▸ Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation – per

capita personal income, employment per 1,000 people, and average compensation per employee; number of marinas, fairgrounds, athletic fields, and golf courses; and accommodation and food services per capita income.

Grades▸ These data have been aggregated to the

county level for each of Indiana's 92 counties, with local scores adjusted for population within sub-jurisdictions in each county.

▸ A grade has been assigned to each county for those factors that are realistically within the control of public or private entities within a county.

▸ Each county is then graded in several areas, with grades ranging from A to F.

Grades▸ We graded on a curve so an equal number

of A and F grades were given, as were B and D grades. Average performers receive C grades.

▸ For areas in which a community has no short-term control, such as the presence of naturally occurring assets (such as lakes and rivers), we assign an index number with average being 100 points.

Some screenshots of the web-tool

Validity of the study▸ Shown here are per capita income and average population changes in relation to the letter grades received in the categories of education, health, and overall (GPA).

▸ The result is fairly telling of the relationship between population growth/per-capita income and quality of place.

Per capita incomePopulation growth

Statistics▸ When the study and the tool were

released on April 3, 2012 ▸ Total visits to website (for 3-weeks after release) =

1,298▸ Unique visitors = 998▸ Return rate = 34%

▸ 34% users of the site actively sought out the tool and returned to use it several times

▸ Visitors from Indiana = 76% of visitors

Highlights▸ The study and the accompanying website offer a

detailed look at the factors that affect the economic performance of Indiana's communities, large and small.

▸ The product stimulates conversation about growth and transformation in communities

▸ A variety of data categories were used and posted including county history, and comparison of all counties across the state

▸ Developed a streamlined user interface▸ Data downloadable in spreadsheets

CBER/Ball State University▸ We are dedicated to building the Miller

College of Business as a premier research and data resource for Indiana.▸ Conduct relevant and timely public policy

research ▸ Enhance the premier role Ball State

University has in performing policy research in Indiana.

▸ Partner with Building Better Communities and key university faculty members