Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC)
What we do:
The Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC) provides research services for area business, non-for-profit organizations, and government entities. Research services include the following assessments on the economic impact of tourism at both local and regional levels, analyses of affordable housing dynamics, evaluations of the value with maintaining clean lakes, in-depth studies on specialty crops and agricultural trends, as well as thorough assessments of new product viability and entrepreneurship prospects.
Current Projects
- Environmental Restoration in Marinette Wisconsin - This study examined and evaluates the benefits and challenges of environmental restoration, including its effect on environmental justice and sustainable development.
- Fund for Lake Michigan - Based on FERC findings, the Fund for Lake Michigan has had a substantial and concrete impact on the economy by adding 1,758 jobs, 63 million dollars in labor income, and 216 million dollars in economic output from Spring 2011 to Fall 2020.
- The Blue Green Corridor: Establishing the Intersection between Economic Growth and Environmental Design - This study evaluates the economic impact of a blue/green corridor along the Chicago River.
- Tainter Lake and Lake Menomin: The Impact of Diminishing Water Quality on Value - Tainter and Menomin both suffer from severe and often toxic Blue Green Algae blooms driven by high watershed loading of nutrients. In consideration of this issue, it is the goal of this analysis to determine whether the value of the lake property has kept pace with properties on competing lakes within the same market.
- Economic and Fiscal Impact of the Overture Center - This report demonstrates a post-pandemic annual economic impact of the Overture Center's activities of $34,500,000.
- Economic Impact of Milwaukee Irish Fest 2015 - The FERC collaborated with Milwaukee Irish Fest organizers to create a survey assessing the spending patterns of festival attendees, covering areas like refreshments, music, apparel, and more. Using data from 703 randomly selected attendees, the FERC employed a standard algorithm to analyze the results, ultimately generating a comprehensive report on the direct and indirect economic impact of Milwaukee Irish Fest on both the city and surrounding communities.
- NCAA Division III Athletics Measuring X-Efficiency 2007-2012 - Using data from 2007-2012, the FERC developed an x-efficiency analysis to estimate how effectively universities used resources to score points in the Directors' Cup competition - a broad-based mark of success for college athletics.
- The Economic Impact of Green Bay Recreational Fishing - The FERC partnered with Walleyes for Tomorrow and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to explore the impact of angling in the Bay of Green Bay watershed on the state economy. Leveraging the WDNR's creel survey, they distributed survey packets to recreational anglers at various locations, with voluntary participation. The study, focusing on freshwater angling in specific counties, aimed to understand the economic implications of angling in the region.
- The Economic Impact of the Walworth County Fair - In this study, the FERC employed IMPLAN to quantitatively evaluate the economic impacts of the Walworth County Fairgrounds. IMPLAN, an input-output method, was utilized to assess the economic effects in three categories: direct effect, indirect effect, and induced effect, collectively providing a comprehensive measure of the total economic impact of the fairgrounds on the local economy.
- The Economic Impact of NJDEP’s HDSRF Grant Program - A Durations Analysis of Tax Increment Finance District Lifespans
- Communities have a tool at their disposal to facilitate such catalysts, called Tax Increment Finance (TIF). A TIF allows a community to subsidize an improvement using the increase in tax revenue it expects to see as a result of the improvement.
Our Mission
The mission of the Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC) is to tap into the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater faculty expertise and provide outreach services to members of the regional community. In achieving this mission, FERC provides high caliber students the opportunity to work closely with faculty experts to apply concepts and theories to practical, real-world cases. Practical project-based work not only enhances students’ educational experience but also maximizes their value to future employers by providing them with an economic tool-set applicable in modern firms.
Who We Are
Dr. Russ Kahian
Director
Dr. Matthew Winden
Assistant Director