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.
- New Jersey Brownfields Economic Analysis - Brownfields are defined as former commercial or industrial sites with potential contaminant discharge. Since 2006 the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has awarded over $208 million to public entities to assist brownfields investigation, clean up and redevelopment. This study analyzes the economic impact of New Jersey’s Brownfield Initiatives.
- NJ Brownsfields Pamphlet - This pamphlet neatly summarizes the findings of the New Jersey Brownfields Economic Analysis
- The Economics 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.
- Wisconsin Brownfield Economic Analysis - Since 1998 the state of Wisconsin has provided grants totaling over $121 million to assist brownfields investigation, clean up and redevelopment. This study assessed the economic and fiscal impacts of a state, like Wisconsin, investing public funds into an initiative that cleans up and reuses brownfield properties.
- 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.
- 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.
- Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra - Each year the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra hosts the Concerts on the Square Series featuring the performances of a variety of world class musical acts. In 2024 this six concert series will celebrate its 40th anniversary and expects over 240,000 visitors and patrons to be in attendance over all the events. This study analyzes the economic and fiscal impact this series has on the city of Madison’s economy.
- Woodman Sport and Convention Center - The purpose of this study was to assess the economic impact of the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center proposed for Janesville, Wisconsin. This study goes over the direct and indirect value this project brings to the Rock County community.
- Affordable Housing in Walworth County Wisconsin - The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between the supply and demand of the single-family and multi-family housing in Walworth County.
- Workforce and Industry Trends in South Central Wisconsin - This study reviews data regarding location quotients, average wages for occupations and industries, employment trends in occupations and industries, and housing prices in Dane County, Walworth County, Jefferson County, Dodge County, and Rock County. This study was conducted to explore which occupations these counties rely heavily on and to see if surrounding counties are paying higher wages for similar occupations.
- Dodge County Housing Report - The FERC has reviewed data regarding both single family and multi-family housing, which develops a picture of Dodge County, Wisconsin’s housing market. This report contains three areas of analysis; Dodge County single-family housing affordability, Dodge County renter-occupied housing and a housing analysis of fourteen communities in Dodge County.
- Jefferson Housing Report - The FERC has reviewed data regarding both single family and multi-family housing, which develops a picture of Jefferson County, Wisconsin’s housing market. This report contains three areas of analysis; Jefferson County single-family housing affordability, Jefferson County renter-occupied housing and a housing analysis of the main communities in Jefferson County.
- Walworth County Housing Report - The FERC has reviewed data regarding both single family and multi-family housing, which develops a picture of Walworth County, Wisconsin’s housing market. This report contains three areas of analysis; Walworth County single-family housing affordability, Walworth County renter-occupied housing and a housing analysis of thirteen municipalities in Walworth County.
- Aronia Berry Report - The purpose of this report is to analyze the current market of Aronia Berries throughout the world with a focus on what American aronia farmers can do to compete with foreign suppliers.
- Bison Meat Processing Feasibility Study - The FERC has assessed the feasibility of operating a meat processing plant in South Dakota on the Rosebud Reservation. The goal of this feasibility study is to give an overview of capital requirements and challenges that come with the meat processing systems to update REDCO’s feasibility study (BlueStone Dec 2020) and relate them to Friesla models.
- Cranberries of Wisconsin - In 2012, FERC gathered data from government agencies and growers’ associations including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association (WSTCGA), and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Associations (CCCGA) on this industry. Information included production totals, yield per acre, acres harvested, utilization (fresh or processed), pricing, value of production and local economy spending.
- Egg Farming Feasibility Study - The objective of this feasibility study is to provide an overview of the egg farming infrastructure needs and challenges of the client. It provides a framework of the investment and infrastructure required to start an egg farming operation sized and scaled appropriately for the client; it also makes recommendations for the equipment required, estimates what it might cost to operate such a farming operation including pricing and markets, and establishes whether there would be a market for the farming operation, as well as the financial feasibility of such a venture.
- Grain Milling Feasibility Study - The objective of this feasibility study is to provide an overview of the oat milling infrastructure needs and challenges for the client. It provides an example of the investment and infrastructure required to build an oat mill sized and scaled appropriately for the client, makes recommendations for the equipment required and the costs for build out of a new facility, estimates what it might cost to operate such a milling operation, including pricing and markets, and establishes whether there would be a market for the milling operation and the financial feasibility of such a venture.
- Oat Milling Feasibility Study - This feasibility study aims to assess the oat milling infrastructure needs for the client, offering recommendations on construction, equipment, operational costs, pricing, and potential markets. Market research, conducted through extensive interviews and third-party reviews, evaluates the viability of the client providing milling services and selling oat products in Wisconsin, identifying target markets and potential clients in various sectors, including oats, gluten-free products, craft breweries, bakeries, and specialty stores.
- The Effect of Expiration Dates on Purchasing Decisions in Grocery Stores - Two of the many things that may influence consumers in their decision-making process at the grocery store include discounting and expiration dates. Throughout the fall of 2017, the FERC conducted surveying at grocery stores throughout the state of Wisconsin to determine individual’s perception of grocery store quality based on these factors.
- The Economic Impact of Potato Producation in Wisconsin - In 2010 Wisconsin was the nation’s third-largest grower of potatoes, producing 2.4 billion pounds of potatoes. In 2014, the FERC sought to establish the role of potato production in Wisconsin’s agricultural output and overall economic welfare. The findings of this study help quantify the extent that Wisconsin is a significant player in the United States potato industry and demonstrates the importance of this industry to the overall success of the state.
- Processed Sweet Corn: Analyzing the Economic Impact in Wisconsin -Wisconsin is the leading state in exporting processed sweet corn. This report analyzes the impact that the sweet corn processing industry has on the Wisconsin economy.
- Yellow Perch Inclusive Excellence Report - Purchasing Decisions in Grocery Stores: The Effect of Expiration Date on Purchasing Decisions in Grocery Stores. Throughout the fall of 2017, the Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC), from the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater, conducted surveying at grocery stores throughout the state of Wisconsin to determine individual's perception of store quality based on expiration dates.
- Interim Report on Changes in Tax Increment Financing - The focus of this report is to chronicle the key changes in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) policy and show how Wisconsin’s TIF laws have been modified since 1974 in response to crisis and opportunity.
- Evaluating Wisconsin's Jobs Tax Credits Program - The purpose of the Jobs Tax Credit (JTC) program is to incentivize businesses to locate and expand their activities in Wisconsin. This report analyzes the impact that the JTC program has had on the Wisconsin economy.
- Economic Impact on Wisconsin of Trade Supported Technical Education - An effort to change the relationship between the construction industry and trade unions in Wisconsin is ongoing. This report explores the impact that altering this relationship would have on the Wisconsin economy.
- 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 Federal Research Grants on the The State of Wisconsin - The FERC has reviewed the recent economic impacts that federally funded grants have had on the State of Wisconsin’s economy. This study focuses on the research conducted during the 2018- 2019 fiscal year where financial contributions from the Federal Government were allocated to students and faculty members, fringe benefits, travel expenses, job training and development, etc.
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
