Policy & Program Impact Evaluation
We analyze the before-and-after of policy changes to understand their economic, social, and fiscal impacts. We conduct best-practice case studies that show what works well, why those practices work well, and how to replicate them successfully. And we set benchmarks and metrics that help organizations and communities stay on track and show future impacts. In terms of economic impact studies, the most recent completed statewide projects include: the Economic impact of the VA Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity SWaM Certification program; the Economic impact of the Virginia Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits program; and the Economic impact of the VA Main Street program.
Development Strategy
We conduct economic development studies for towns, cities, and regions to identify new economic uses that bring vitality to communities. We work with mature commercial corridors, Main Streets and downtowns, conducting competitive market studies and creating development strategies that make these areas viable for the 21st century.
Decision support
We construct decision models that help organizations determine where and how to allocate resources. We develop information systems that help communities and regions understand the lay of the land, how things are changing, and how things are likely to change. And we build indicator systems to monitor critical changes in the community and regional economies that may require new policies. Our MetroView information system enables us to conduct granular data-driven analyses for the region. MetroView is a unique information system that brings together economic, social, and land use data from disparate sources and ties them together at the lowest possible geographic unit. MetroView has tracked development metrics across the Richmond region annually since 2013.