SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- Iowa State University (ISU) Extension is hosting a presentation by David Swenson, Iowa State University associate scientist in economics, Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The special event will be held at Iowa State University Design West, 1014-1/2 Design Place, in Sioux City.
Swenson’s presentation, Understanding the Dimensions of Economic Growth and Community Welfare Gains: An Introduction to Economic Impact and Benefit Cost Considerations, will be of strong interest to business and community leaders.
“Swenson is one of the few scientists who is studying Iowa’s entire economy, both rural and urban,” said ISU Extension Communities and Economic Development Specialist Abbie Gaffey. “He intensively studies the tax structure and what cities do to successfully attract new businesses. David looks at long term trends to project where Iowa will be in the next 20 years. His expertise is Iowa.”
Swenson is an associate scientist in economics and a lecturer in community and regional planning at Iowa State University, and a lecturer in the graduate program in urban and regional planning at the University of Iowa. He has an M.A. in urban and regional planning and an M.A. in political science. He teaches planning methods and techniques, urban economics, project evaluation methods, and economic impact assessment. His primary area of research focuses on regional economic changes and their fiscal and demographic implications for communities and local governments in Iowa and in the Midwest. He has developed protocols and conducts targeted industry research for assisting in regional economic development.
Swenson has completed numerous economic impact studies and written and presented extensively about the appropriate methods and interpretations for applying impact analyses to public policies. He has also studied in-depth the consequences of within-Iowa capital competition and economic development incentives, most notably tax increment financing.
The registration fee is $40 per person and class size is limited. Lunch will be provided. Registration deadline is Thursday, Jan. 10, or until the class is full. A registration form may be downloaded at www.extension.iastate.edu/woodbury or contact Sherry McGill at (712) 276-2157 or Abbie Gaffey (712) 251-8595 with questions.
Iowa State University Extension provides research-based information and education for communities, families, business and industry, agriculture and natural resources, and 4-H youth development as well as continuing education through off-campus courses, degree programs, service learning programs, noncredit conferences and seminars, and educational materials.
-30-