Browsing by Author "Nadeau, Kenny"

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    Economic Effects of the Potential I-35 Conversion in Downtown Duluth
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2023) Haynes, Monica; Bennett, John; Chiodi Grensing, Gina; Hopkins, Erin; Nadeau, Kenny; Perry, D'Lanie
    In response to growing community interest in a redesign of the I-35 corridor through downtown Duluth, Minnesota, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics examined the potential economic effects of such a redesign. The study area for the research includes the one-mile segment of the freeway that separates the city’s central business district from the Lake Superior waterfront, as well as the area immediately surrounding the freeway. The study includes a summary of the literature on the economic effects of highway removal and rightsizing projects throughout the U.S., the results of interviews and surveys with local stakeholders, case studies summarizing five similar highway rightsizing projects, and a summary of the feasibility of a rightsizing project in Duluth. In response to growing community interest in a redesign of the I-35 corridor through downtown Duluth, Minnesota, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics examined the potential economic effects of such a redesign. The study area for the research includes the one-mile segment of the freeway that separates the city’s central business district from the Lake Superior waterfront, as well as the area immediately surrounding the freeway. The study includes a summary of the literature on the economic effects of highway removal and rightsizing projects throughout the U.S., the results of interviews and surveys with local stakeholders, case studies summarizing five similar highway rightsizing projects, and a summary of the feasibility of a rightsizing project in Duluth. Our research team estimated that the economic impact of a one-year $50 million construction project (based on average cost per mile in case studies) could support 450 jobs, provide labor income of $29 million, contribute nearly $39 million to the study area’s GDP, and produce nearly $74 million in spending. These estimates do not represent the economic activity that might occur from development opportunities that arise after the project is completed. If Duluth were to redesign the segment of I-35 through the downtown waterfront area in a way that freed up land for alternate uses, survey respondents overwhelmingly felt that there would be private sector interest in developing that area (86% answered yes). Stakeholders identified housing (53 comments); mixed-use commercial development (39 comments); leisure and hospitality (37 comments); and other commercial developments like retail, office, and manufacturing (33 comments) as being the most likely development opportunities. This study is just one step in determining whether highway removal or rightsizing is a viable solution in Duluth. Some potential next steps for this effort include more extensive community engagement efforts, a broader look at the impacts of highway rightsizing on the case studies, and/or a more comprehensive community profile for downtown Duluth, among others. The Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council (MIC) is currently conducting an extensive I-35 corridor planning study that includes the downtown Duluth I-35 segment. The results of that study will also play an important part in developing the long-term goals for the corridor and determining appropriate actions for transportation planning and economic development in downtown Duluth.
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    Economic Effects of the Potential I-35 Conversion in Downtown Duluth Executive Summary
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2023) Haynes, Monica; Bennett, John; van der Hagen, Jordan; Chiodi Grensing, Gina; Hopkins, Erin; Nadeau, Kenny; Perry, D'Lanie
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    Economic Impacts of the Content Industry in Northern Minnesota
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2023) Haynes, Monica; Chiodi Grensing, Gina; Perry, D'Lanie; Hopkins, Erin; Nadeau, Kenny
    For more than 30 years, the Upper Midwest Film Office (UMFO) has been helping attract and integrate film and content production in Northeast Minnesota. Currently, UMFO is working on several issues including increasing the incentives provided to the film and content industry, developing the region’s industry-specific workforce, and building the capacity for regional soundstage construction. For purposes of wanting to educate policy makers and the broader public on the importance of the burgeoning film industry, UMFO contacted the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics to study the industry’s economic impact in St. Louis County. The BBER estimated the economic impacts of the film industry for 2022 as well as three future scenarios that might occur if the rebate limit was increased and St. Louis County saw significant growth in its film industry. In 2022, the film industry spent just over $3.0 million in the county. Our small-growth scenario assumed an increase in the rebate limit to roughly $3.25 million, which could allow for $13.0 million in spending on the part of the industry in the county. A medium-growth scenario assumed a $6.25 million rebate limit and $25.0 million in industry spending, while a large-growth scenario assumed a limit of $12.5 million and $50.0 million in local spending on the part of the film industry. In addition to the four growth scenarios, a fifth scenario—soundstage construction—assumed a one-time, temporary impact from the construction of a soundstage, something that UMFO has indicated would be necessary to support growth in the industry.
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    Navigating the Benefits Bridge: Resources for Employment Service Providers and Clients in Minnesota
    (University of Minnesota Duluth, 2023) Haynes, Monica; Chiodi Grensing, Gina; Bakken, Mitchell; Hopkins, Erin; Nadeau, Kenny; Perry, D'Lanie; Wendinger, Avery
    Public assistance programs are designed to be a bridge to economic stability; as individuals take home more earnings and become more financially stable, their benefits will decrease. Yet in some cases, by accepting a raise or increasing the number of working hours and, thus, wages, an individual may unintentionally reduce their net income (i.e., their combined wage plus benefits). This occurrence is sometimes referred to as a “benefits cliff” and can act as a barrier to career advancement for low-income individuals. Also, given the number of programs that exist and their often-complex eligibility rules, it can be very difficult for benefits recipients to understand how changes in their income might affect their eligibility for various programs. Recently, the Economic Services and Supports Division of St. Louis County, Minnesota—the local agency that administers many of the state and federal public assistance programs—asked the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics to provide a dynamic tool that could be used by career counselors when advising their clients about the potential financial impacts of a career change, using clients’ personalized information. To accomplish this, the BBER collected feedback from counselors, conducted a literature review and online search to identify existing tools, and analyzed data from various sources to determine the accuracy and usefulness of potential tools. The project will also include training by the BBER on how to use the tool. The BBER spoke to counselors in focus groups. The counselors noted that “higher minimum wages make it easier for people to surpass income thresholds—especially with small families,” thereby making those individuals more likely to lose public assistance benefits. Counselors also noted that each program has its own requirements and paperwork and that the program requirements are difficult to understand, even for them, which made it difficult to advise clients on how to make educated career choices. When asked what type of information, tools, or resources would be helpful in advising clients about public assistance programs and career advancement, many counselors said they most wanted to have a “simple calculator to calculate benefits for different variable inputs.” Examples of features they would like included the ability to calculate benefits for a given wage or a simple cost of living calculator to assist clients with budgeting. Several counselors mentioned that a handout or infographic depicting the process of moving from public assistance to a career could make conversations easier. The research team evaluated eight potential tools based on geographic availability, accuracy of data, and usability/design. Of the tools evaluated, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s (hereafter referred to as the Atlanta Fed) CLIFF portal— developed using data from its Policy Rules Database (PRD)—was the most accurate for the largest number of St. Louis County assistance programs. Of the tools shown to the members of our working group—comprised of representatives from the county’s employment service providers— the CLIFF portal was also the most visually appealing and easiest to use. However, when comparing the data provided by the CLIFF portal with state and local policies, the working group identified inconsistencies with the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)—the state’s welfare program for low-income families with children—and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Therefore, the BBER contacted the Atlanta Fed to inquire about the possibility of incorporating Minnesota’s rather unique MFIP program. Since first connecting in January 2023, our collaboration with the Atlanta Fed has resulted in refinements to the user interface and the inclusion of policy rules for the MFIP program.