Bibliography--Community Economic Development and
Data Sources
The following publication provides useful links for sites related
to community economic development and also data sources.
AE-01024
Websites: Community Economic
Analysis and Data Sources
|
LaDee Homm - Student Assistant, OSU,
Stillwater
(405) 744-6186
|
Suzette Barta - Extension Assistant, OSU,
Stillwater
(405) 744-6186
|
Mike D. Woods - Extension Economist, OSU,
Stillwater
(405) 744-6042
|
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
OKLAHOMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
SERVICE
OKLAHOMA STATE
UNIVERSITY
February 2001
(Revised May
2002)
Websites: Community Economic
Analysis and Data Sources
|
La Dee Homm
Student Assistant
Room 415, Ag.
Hall
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK
74078-6026
|
Suzette Barta
Extension
Assistant
Room 527, Ag.
Hall
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK
74078-6026
sdb1113@okstate.edu |
Mike Woods
Extension
Economist
Room 514, Ag.
Hall
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK
74078-6026
mailto:mdwoods@okway.okstate.edu |
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to
offer a listing of selected websites for economic analysis and data
sources. Other resources and guides provided by the Oklahoma
Cooperative Extension Service can demonstrate how to utilize this
data for assessment and analysis.
"Readers may make verbatim
copies of this document for non-commercial purposes by any
means."
Websites: Community
Economic Analysis and Data Sources
By
LaDee Homm, Suzette Barta, and Mike Woods
Rapid changes in the global economy have made data access and
information a very valuable commodity. Community developers
face complicated questions and issues as they strive to enhance the
local economy and improve the quality of life in communities where
they work and reside. The Internet offers seemingly limitless
sources for data and information. At times the possibilities
can even seem overwhelming. The purpose of this report is to
offer a listing of selected websites for economic analysis and data
sources. Other resources and guides provided by the Oklahoma
Cooperative Extension Service can demonstrate how to utilize this
data for assessment and analysis.
The report is segmented by topic. First, a listing of the
authors’ favorite sites is provided. There are sites used
almost daily as questions arise related to community data and
trends. Details about these sites are included in later
discussion. The second segment provides a listing of community
and economic development related sites. These are frequently
associations, organizations, or institutes that provide resources,
guides, publications, and data. Often they will have links to
many other sites as well. The third segment includes a listing
of sites for census data and other data sources. These are
typically state, federal or university sites and provide a wealth of
information. A brief description of data included at the site
is provided. The fourth segment provides a list of sites
related to agriculture. Finally, additional sites including
guides, libraries and bulletin boards are listed.
Favorite Sites:
- Bureau of Economic Analysis http://www.bea.doc.gov/
- Bureau of Labor
Statistics http://www.bls.gov/
- Economic Data http://www.econdata.net/
- FedStats http://www.fedstats.gov/
- Free Demographics http://www.freedemographics.com/
- Government Information Sharing Project http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/
- Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics http://www.nass.usda.gov/ok/
- Oklahoma Cooperative
Extension Service-Rural Development http://www.rd.okstate.edu/
- Oklahoma Department of Commerce http://www.odoc.state.ok.us/index.html
- Oklahoma Employment
Security Commission
http://www.oesc.state.ok.us/
- ORIGINS: Oklahoma
economic and demographic statistics.
http://origins.ou.edu/
- Searchable SIC http://www.osha.gov/oshstats/sicser.html
- U.S. Bureau of the Census http://www.census.gov/
- USDA Rural Development http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/
Community
and Economic Development
National organization
with more than 30,000 members, actively working for better planned
communities. Includes a list of Planners Book Service publications,
links to home pages of APA Chapters and divisions, research on key
planning issues and links to other Internet sites devoted to
planning issues.
A nonprofit,
fee-for-service research organization which addresses social,
economic, and resource-based problems of rural people and
communities.
Provides research,
education and policy analysis on critical community and rural
development issues.
A resource to help
citizens in community problem solving to address local concerns. It
can be used to develop leadership and organization capacities. It
contains concise and practical information on issues such as
strategic planning, promoting financial stability and other
information needed by collaborative partnerships. The community
toolbox can also be helpful in networking.
Learn more about these
programs and visit the community toolbox.
Conducts applied
research and provides technical assistance to area communities and
the state to enhance development efforts and improve the efficiency
of governmental operations.
A nonprofit organization
dedicated to nurturing leadership in communities helping strengthen
and transform them.
A full-service
organization that provides legislative, research, technical and
public affairs assistance to its members. The association acts as a
liaison with other levels of government, works to improve public
understanding of counties, serves as a national advocate for
counties and provides them with resources to help find them
innovative methods to meet the challenges they face.
A nonprofit corporation
that works to find solutions that use local resources to address
problems that face all Americans, especially society's most
disadvantaged citizens. NCAT has helped individuals, communities,
government agencies, non-profits and others with appropriate
technology and sustainable development issues by providing expertise
for a broad range of programs and projects.
Advocates a new civic
agenda to create communities that work for everyone and promotes the
principles of collaborative problem solving and consensus-based
decision making through technical assistance, publishing, research
and an awards program.
The NLC is a
representative organization serving municipal governments. The
site lists publications, technical assistance services available,
and links to state municipal leagues.
The National Main Street
Center promotes commercial district revitalization through historic
preservations and economic development.
The Urban League is the
nation's oldest and largest community-based movement devoted to
empowering African Americans to enter the economic and social
mainstream. The site contains programs and resources available
through the Urban League and its partners.
A rural development site
that describes the services offered by the Oklahoma Cooperative
Extension Service and offers numerous online
publications.
Follow the Community Development
link for information about Certified Cities and Oklahoma Main Street
and for access to community profiles. Follow the Data and
Statistics link for economic and demographic data.
The Rural Local
Initiative Support Corporation's website provides Community
Development Corporations and other interested parties with helpful
resources and networks for community development.
An independent,
non-partisan research consortium which provides objective analysis
of the impact of public policies on rural people and places.
Learn about starting and
financing your own small business including special loans, programs
and grants.
Supports research and
extension efforts to improve the lives of people in nonmetropolitan
areas in the U.S. Located at Mississippi State University, its
mission is to serve as a proactive leader and primary facilitator of
rural development research, education and policy dialogue that will
improve the socioeconomic conditions of the Southern region. The
Center also serves as a key player and role model in building
collaborative networks that reach across agencies, institutions and
communities.
Studies and promotes
cooperative action as a means of meeting people's economic and
social needs. It develops, promotes, and coordinates educational
programs, technical assistance and research on the cooperative form
of business.
A monthly newsletter
that provides brief synopsis of policy research papers, dealing with
community economic issues.
A comprehensive website
describing the programs and services provided by the
USDA.
An independent,
not-for-profit research organization devoted to finding, evaluating
and promoting solutions to employment related problems.
The collection contains
high quality rural community development materials funded by the
Kellogg Foundation and other selected sponsors of recognized rural
programs. Guidebooks, manuals, workshop materials, reports, books
and videos included.
Census
and Statistical Information including Economic Data
-
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) --- http://www.bea.doc.gov/
An
agency of the Department of Commerce that prepares estimates
that show key national, international and regional aspects of
the U.S. economy. Good source for per capita income data.
- Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) --- http://www.bls.gov//
The BLS is an
independent national statistical agency that collects, processes,
analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data to the
American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, State
and local governments, businesses, and labor. The BLS also
serves as a statistical resource to the Department of Labor. Good
source for unemployment statistics.
- Census of Agriculture
---
http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/php/agri/index.php
Provides a complete
picture of the agricultural sector in the U.S. economy by county,
state or zip code.
- County and City Data
Book --- http://www.census.gov/stat_abstract/ccdb.html
Provides the latest
official statistics for 1,087 cities, all 3,141 U.S. counties, and
11,097 places of 2,500 or more inhabitants.
- EconData.net --- http://www.econdata.net/
A site with more than
950 links to socioeconomic data sources, arranged by subject and
provider.
- Economic Research
Service --- http://www.ers.usda.gov/
A source for economic
analysis and information on agriculture, food, natural resources and
rural America.
- Economic Statistics
Briefing Room --- http://www.whitehouse.gov/fsbr/esbr.html
Provides easy access to
current Federal economic indicators and links to information
produced by a number of Federal agencies.
- FedStats --- http://www.fedstats.gov/
Provides easy access to
the full range of statistics and information for public use produced
by more than 70 agencies in the Federal Government.
- Free Demographics ---
http://www.freedemographics.com/
Provides free, unlimited
access to 1970, 1980, and 1990 U.S. Census Data along with unlimited
access to the 2000 Census Dress Rehearsal Data.
- Government Information
Sharing Project --- http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/
Statistical information
on the U.S.--demographics, economics, education, and the state of
Oregon. Maintained by Oregon State University.
- National Agricultural
Statistics Service --- http://www.usda.gov/nass
Agency within U.S.
Department of Agriculture which conducts hundreds of surveys and
prepares reports covering virtually every facet of U.S.
agriculture--production and supplies of food and fiber, prices paid
and received by farmers, farm labor and wages, and farm aspects of
the industry.
- Office of Social &
Economic Data Analysis (OSEDA) --- http://www.oseda.missouri.edu/
Maintained by the
University of Missouri System. Contains U.S. data on agricultural
and natural resources, business and economics, communities,
demographics, education, health, youth and families and other key
social and economic sites.
- Oklahoma Agricultural
Statistics --- http://www.nass.usda.gov/ok/
Provides links to
Oklahoma Farm Statistics and to the National Agricultural Statistics
Service.
- Oklahoma Employment
Security Commission --- http://www.oesc.state.ok.us/
Contains
the latest Labor Market Information for Oklahoma including
unemployment and unemployment rates.
- ORIGINS: Oklahoma
Resources Integrated General Information Network System --- http://origins.ou.edu/
This site is a
collaborative effort between the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma
State University, and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
Contains Oklahoma data including labor force, sales subject to sales
tax, and residential building permits. It also contains links
to the Oklahoma Statistical Abstract.
- Social Statistics
Briefing Room --- http://www.whitehouse.gov/fsbr/ssbr.html
Maintained by the White
House website, the Social Statistics Briefing Room provides easy
access to current Federal social statistics. It also provides links
to information produced by a number of Federal agencies.
- STAT-USA --- http://www.stat-usa.gov/
STAT-USA is a small
organization within the U.S. Department of Commerce that gathers
business, economic and trade data from over 40 government agencies,
consolidates this information, and then provides it over a range of
electronic formats.
-
Statistical Resources on
the Web --- http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/stats.html
Site by University of
Michigan. Statistical information and resources include agriculture,
business and industry, foreign governments and trade, government
finances, health, housing, demographics, labor, economics and many
other subjects.
- U.S. Bureau of the
Census --- http://www.census.gov/
Provides top quality
statistics on social, demographic and economic information in the
United States--local, county, state, etc.
- USDA Economics and
Statistics System - http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/usda.html
Contains nearly 300
reports and datasets from the economic agencies of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. These materials cover U.S. and
international agriculture and related topics.
Agriculture
- Agricultural Fact Book
1998 --- http://www.usda.gov/news/pubs/fbook98/content.htm
Gives basic facts on
U.S. agriculture, including its structure, the farm sector and rural
America. Gives an overview of USDA and description of its programs.
- Agrinet --- http://agrinet.tamu.edu/
Developed by the Texas
A& M University Agricultural Program, this site provides a
single starting point to all agricultural resources on the Internet.
It's objective is to promote agribusiness and enhance agricultural
product marketing and research.
- Census of Agriculture
--- http://govinfo.kerr.orst.edu/ag-stateis.html
Provides a complete
picture of the agricultural sector in the U.S. economy by county,
state or zip code.
- Center for Sustainable
Agriculture Systems (CSAS) --- http://ianrwww.unl.edu/ianr/csas/
An interdisciplinary
center formed in 1991 for the purpose of bringing together people
and resources to promote an agriculture that is efficient,
competitive, profitable, environmentally and socially sustainable
for the indefinite future.
- Small Farm Program ---
http://www.reeusda.gov/smallfarm
The Small Farm Program
at the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(CSREES) agency within USDA is committed to meeting the needs of the
small farm communities. Its mission is to improve small farm income
levels and the economic viability of the small farm enterprises
through partnerships with the land grant system, public and private
sectors by encouraging research, extension and education programs
that meet the specific needs of small farmers. Also includes a link
to current issues of their Small Farm Digest
newsletter.
Additional Resources: Guides, Publications,
Libraries, Information, etc.
Gives basic facts on
U.S. agriculture, including its structure, the farm sector and rural
America. Gives an overview of USDA and description of its programs.
Federal, state and local
government information. Also links to county and municipal areas.
Computer networking to
enhance communications, with the objective of working through
disparate views and ideologies to secure a more promising future.
Include
periodicals, research reports, statistical bulletins, and other
monographs.
Provides
access to information from the White House and Executive Branch
agencies (includes independent agencies) to the public.
Contains a collection of
answers to some frequently asked questions on topics such as Social
Security, Medicare/Medicaid, savings bonds, consumer topics,
recalls, etc.
This
site has income tax, sales tax, excise tax, etc. plus related matter
for every state.Sales
tax tables include rates, primary exemptions, vendor discounts,
etc.
Links to financial
resources on the Internet.
Provides government
executives with summary information about successful programs and
the ability to learn more in specific areas of interest.
HUD's web site contains
information about topics ranging from how to buy a home to historic
preservation to empowerment zones.
Links to maps in the
U.S.--national, state, city and regional. Also world maps, foreign
countries as well as geographic references and library and book
information.
Part of the Agricultural
Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The library
is a major source for agriculture and related issues.
This site provides a
synopsis of the major federal, state, and private sector housing
resources available in the state of Oklahoma and is maintained by
the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency.
Provides information and
referral services to local government officials, community
organizations, health professional organizations, rural telephone
and electric cooperatives, libraries, businesses and rural citizens
working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas.
This site has links to
other rural resources on a variety of topics-including federal
information, business, education, funding, health, job training,
welfare and others.
This page allows the
user to search the 1987 version SIC manual by keyword, to
access descriptive information for a specified 4-digit SIC,
and to examine the manual structure.
An evolving collection
of online resources dedicated to supporting civic life and citizen
participation. The Civic Network is a project of the Center for
Civic Networking.
Allows user to find the
zip code for a city or a town or the city or town associated with a
particular zip code.
A one-stop web site of
Federal information for state and local governments. The Gateway was
developed by Federal agencies and associations representing sate and
local officials and employees in collaboration with Vice President
Gore's National Performance Review.
Public access to
transcripts of the President's speeches and press conferences, press
briefings, policy statements, fact sheets and announcements of
nominations.
- West Virginia
University’s The Web Book of Regional Science (Scott Loveridge,
Editor) is an excellent source of regional science theory. http://rri.wvu.edu/regscweb.htm
Summary
This report has presented a listing of websites to aid in
community economic analysis. Data sources, community
development organizations, and governmental sites are
provided. It is hoped these sites will be helpful to those
assisting in community on Economic development efforts. It
should be noted, web addresses often change for specific
websites. Some websites come and some go. Every effort
was made to update the list but change is continual-especially on
the World Wide Web. If the reader has additional quality
websites to recommend please contact the authors.
Other resources and guides provided by the Oklahoma
Cooperative Extension Service demonstrate how to utilize data for
assessment and analysis. For example, WF-917 cited in the list
of resources, describes the technique called “gap analysis” used to
assess retail trade trends and market capture for communities and
mainstreet organizations. Another publication, WF-919,
discusses the techniques utilized (including data sources) in
constructing a community housing profile. Finally, the
publications WF-918 and WF-916 describe targeted economic
development approaches and present a comprehensive planning
structure for assessing local economic development
opportunities.
Resources
-
Barta, Suzette, and Mike Woods. Gap Analysis as a Tool for
Community Economic Development. OSU Extension Facts, WF-917,
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, April 2000. http://www.rd.okstate.edu/RDPublications.htm
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Barta, Suzette, and Mike D. Woods. Constructing a Community
Housing Profile: Estimating Supply and Demand in Your Local Housing
Market. OSU Extension Facts, WF-919, Oklahoma Cooperative
Extension Service, January 2001.http://www.rd.okstate.edu/RDPublications.htm
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Homm, LaDee, Mike Woods, Gerald Doeksen, Jack Frye, and Stan
Ralstin. Blueprints for your Community’s Future: A Targeted
Economic Development Approach. OSU Extension Facts, WF-918,
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, November 2000.http://www.rd.okstate.edu/RDPublications.htm
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Woods, Mike, Jack Frye, and Stan Ralstin. Blueprints for Your
Community’s Future: Creating a Strategic Plan for Local Economic
Development. OSU Extension Facts, WF-916, Oklahoma Cooperative
Extension Service, August 1999.http://www.rd.okstate.edu/RDPublications.htm
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