Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC)
Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC)
  1. Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC)
  2. Projects

Projects


  • Green Bay Angling
  • Branch Banking in the United States: Bank Gaps in Rural and Urban America
  • The Economic Impact of the Wine Industry in Wisconsin and the United States
  • The Economic Impact of a Bike Race in Western Wisconsin
  • A Duration Analysis of Sheriff Sales
  • Tax Increment Finance Districts: The Outcome of Special Legislation
  • Broadband in Rural Wisconsin for Tourism Attraction
  • A Toolbox for Small Scale Aquaculture
  • ATM Networks: Does Membership Pay?
  • The Economic Impact of Octoberfest in La Crosse Wisconsin

Interim Report Summarizing Significant Changes in Tax Increment Finance Policy in Wisconsin

This paper analyzes whether minority-owned banks pass along an advantage in access to governmental deposits to the communities they serve in the form of higher interest rates on certificates of deposit (CDs). 
The combination of the slowdown in development brought about by the construction downturn with the ''popping of the real estate bubble'' has created two competing challenges for tax increment financing (TIF). This report examines these challenges.
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.
This report is a comprehensive look into bankruptcies at the county, state, regional and national levels.

Purchasing Decisons 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.
In order to determine potential sites for butcher shops, the Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC) at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater developed a "Gap Analysis".  This analysis employed an empirical analysis to estimate the Cities, Villages and Townships in Wisconsin that possess the demographic qualities a potential butcher shop owner should look for.
In 2014, FERC gathered data from government agencies and growers associations including the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture regarding the Potato Industry.  Our results have found that Wisconsin is the nation's third-largest grower of potatoes, producing 2.6 billion pounds of potatoes in 2013 and has a combined impact (including direct, indirect and induced) of $522,278,361 on Wisconsin's economy. This impact led to the creation of 3,122.5 jobs.
While the term "like a can of corn" implies that something is easy, the relationship of sweet corn to the Wisconsin economy is actually complex. The vertical integrated system of the sweet corn industry shows a solid platform for job creation along each process.
Ginsenoside levels in Wisconsin ginseng makes Wisconsin ginseng a desirable commodity. Ginsenosides, found only in ginseng, provide health benefits to those who consume the plant. This paper analyzes the economic impact of the ginseng industry on the surrounding economy.
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.
The Dietary Supplement industry affects the economy in three main ways.  Direct, indirect, and induced effects from this industry affect the economy.  This report summarizes the impacts of the dietary supplement industry on Wisonsin's economy.

Evaluating the Jobs Tax Credit Program

The purpose of the Jobs Tax Credit Program (JTC) is to incentivize businesses to locate and expand their activities in Wisconsin. The goal of the JTC program is to incentivize job creation through companies with refundable tax credits that would help reduce their tax liability within Wisconsin. This enhances their cash flow to increase the expansion project's scope, accelerate the timing of the project, or enhance payroll. 

Economic Impact on Wisconsin of Trade-Supported Technical Education

This analysis, produced by the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Fiscal and Economic Research Center and Economic Development Partners, LLC, has determined that altering the relationship between trade unions and the construction industry puts at risk three important components of the development of skilled labor. 

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.
Regions with high levels of growth and development experience benefits stemming from strong economic activity, whereas regions with stagnating or negative growth must analyze their economic conditions to improve them. Using data-based tools can help improve the overall economic condition of the region.
During the 2010 school year, 691,000 international students came to the United States to study. This study focuses on the impact these students on the local economy.
The combined economic impact of the Young Auditorium is $2,117 million. Nearby businesses profit and new jobs are created.
Understanding students' views of demand and utilization is considered critical for planning continual housing issues in the City of Whitewater.
This report addresses a critical issue in public finance: the economic value of an education. This includes enhanced earnings the student receives and the benefit enjoyed by the community when this graduate adds to the overall income base of the state.
This report illustrates that a University of Wisconsin - Whitewater degree greatly increases a person's ability to earn a good income over the course of his or her lifetime.
This report explores the various ways that the University of Wisconsin Whitewater impacts Walworth, Jefferson, and Rock counties. 

Technical Efficiency and Cost-Ratios of State Health Care

In a research study supported by the Wisconsin Hospital Association, economist Russell Kashian, Ph.D., at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater, found Wisconsin to be the third most efficient state in the country. Kashian used financial, technological, and human resources as his inputs with the outputs being health outcomes, quality and access to care. Over a five-year period of 2008-2012, the study found Wisconsin's health care delivery system uses resources more efficiently than all but two states, Hawaii and Iowa, and Wisconsin patients have better outcomes, are more satisfied with the care they receive and care is more accessible in all parts of the state compared to almost all other states.

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.
Included in the market analysis is an overview of the property and its location, a literature review revealing how like properties have been managed in other communities, an economic outlook for Janesville, and a discussion of property renovation funding opportunities. Lastly, this report provides a situation analysis or "SWOT" of repurposing the gas station property.
This report has three sections. The first section is the survey that seeks to gather information from property owners. The second is a hedonic analysis of the value of real estate on Eagle Lake and its evolution over the past 20 years. The last section is an analysis to estimate the economic impact and contribution of the part time residents on Eagle Lake.
The City of Whitewater Student Housing Survey was designed to gather information from property owners in the City of Whitewater, Wisconsin to help the city assess the taxpayer's view of off-campus student housing. There are clear indications of citizen's concerns and their relationship to landlord concerns.
Understanding students' views of demand and utilization is considered critical for planning continual housing issues in the City of Whitewater.
The Village of Menomonee Falls Comprehensive Plan Survey was designed to gather information from property owners in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin to help the Village plan for future growth and development in Menomonee Falls.
This study examines the impact of proximity to the Muskego Bike Path on home prices.
This report demonstrates a post-pandemic annual economic impact of the Overture Center's activities of $34,500,000. 
The Menomonie Road Race provides entertainment for an estimated 3,000 spectators. Data collected from spectators of the road race was used to estimate the total economic impact of the bicycle race on the local Menomonie, WI.
This report studies the impact that the Walworth County Fair has on the local economy of Walworth County. It looks at how much money fair attendees spend at the fair, with whom they attended the event, their household incomes, as well as, their favorite aspects of the fair.
This report has three sections. The first section is the survey that seeks to gather information from property owners. The second is a hedonic analysis of the value of real estate on Eagle Lake and its evolution over the past 20 years. The last section is an analysis to estimate the economic impact and contribution of the part time residents on Eagle Lake.
The combined economic impact of the Young Auditorium is $2,117 million. Nearby businesses profit and new jobs are created.
This independent report evaluates and quantifies the importance of Delavan Lake to the local economy.
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.
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.
Measuring the Economic Impact of Water Quality Initiatives
The University of Wisconsin Whitewater's Fiscal and Economic Research Center (FERC) and the Institute for Water Businesses were tasked with conducting an analysis of the total economic impact of all FFLM-funded projects between 2011 and 2013.  The primary finding of this study is that the Fund for Lake Michigan has had a very positive, demonstrable economic impact in the southeastern region of Wisconsin. Our findings also suggest that, if funded in the same manner, the Fund for Lake Michigan should continue to have a similar level of economic impact for the foreseeable future.
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.
This independent report evaluates and quantifies the importance of Delavan Lake to the local economy.
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