Community Development Precedes Economic Development

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Texas Extension has long believed community development precedes economic development. It is much easier to support economic growth and economic development if you have a community people want to live in. Rural hospital closures shine a light on the interplay of community and economic development. Frank local news stories about the reasons for and outcomes of hospital closures highlight the importance of community social and physical infrastructure in supporting local economies. My own research shows that the presence or lack of physicians is associated with a number of… Read More →

Which AgriLife Business Planning Course is right for you?

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Right at the end of 2020 we released two online business planning courses through AgriLife Learn. I’m so excited to introduce these courses to current and future small business owners and community groups. It may be helpful to briefly explain the target audience and outcomes for each course. I’m including the course link (hyperlink from the course title) and the AgriLife Learn description in regular text and then making my own notes below in italics. Business Planning Basics for Farm and Food Enterprises: Learn how to write a… Read More →

Current Economic Situation, 12/17/2020, Holiday Retail Edition

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Clearly, many Americans and Texans continue to struggle in the current health and economic environment. Texas (following national trends) COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are up substantially from early fall (NY Times and TX DSHS). As I write this post, I’m home quarantining with my 10-year-old son, who was potentially exposed to COVID-19 at school (so far, we are still healthy). I certainly appreciate the fact that I have a job that allows me to work from home. Many people must work from specific physical locations and interact… Read More →

Current Economic Situation, 11/27/2020, Holiday Edition

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Black Friday marks the official beginning of the holiday shopping season. This year, shopping has started early, in part to support struggling businesses and in part due to concerns about shipping. Respondents in a VISA holiday business study said they planned to shop a mix of online and in-person retail, and intended to support small businesses. Sixty percent of U.S. consumer respondents said they planned to do at least half of their holiday shoppers at local retailers. Sixty percent of respondents also plan to purchase at least half… Read More →

Economics of Rural Transit Publications Available

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Mobility is important to older adults’ quality of life. Mobility can be a challenge as we age, and it can be even more challenging for people in rural areas who must travel longer distances to reach destinations. At the same time, sparsely populated rural areas can struggle with funding and business models to meet the needs of local residents. Sarah Fasanando, masters student in the School of Public Health, Jim Mjelde, and I have two new publications addressing rural transit. Rural Transit Needs for Older Adults (EAG-061) discusses… Read More →

Current Economic Situation, COVID-19, 9/25/2020

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Among the masks, social distancing, and uncertainty that have become part of the “new normal” attributed to COVID-19, mixed economic signs also seem to be the norm. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment claims that have fallen substantially from Spring 2020 levels. Unemployment has dropped to 8.6 percent as of September 24, from 10.2 percent as of August 20, just over half the May high of 17.1 percent. On the other hand, that is still almost double the 2009 unemployment rate and more than double the rate… Read More →

Simple Steps for Small Business Cybersecurity

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Recent graduate Blane Counsil and I have a new Extension publication offering cybersecurity tips for small businesses. There are many steps business owners and their employees can take to protect their business and their customers’ data. It’s less complicated than you might think. Physically securing IT resources is important,but barriers to access may deter potential criminals. Making sure all employees follow security protocols is critical; people are the weakest link in any security plan. See the pub in the AgriLife Bookstore (search for EAG-060 or “cyber”) or at… Read More →

Current Economic Situation, COVID-19, 8/21/2020

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Five months into the U.S. COVID-19 pandemic and rapid-onset recession, schools across much of Texas and the U.S. are opening to both on-campus and online education with social distancing and heightened cleaning procedures. As Americans began to resume more normal activity patterns in June and July, coronavirus cases surged, forcing a retreat to homes and numerous cancellations of fairs and other statewide and local celebrations. My kids’ school moved the start date up and then pushed it back. They started school this week with temperature checks and masks…. Read More →

Setting up and Strengthening your Google and Facebook Presence

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If you can’t find a business online, does it even exist? Consumers increasingly rely on web searches to find not only goods and services but also local locations, hours, contact info, and reviews. Still, many small businesses do not have a website, social media, or Google listing. Setting up a website can be time consuming, but improving your online search results and engaging in social media can be simple steps with big benefits for your business. Google and Facebook both have sites to help small business owners use… Read More →

Current Economic Situation, COVID-19, 5/19/2020

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Clearly, this is a difficult time, and many people are truly struggling with health and economic concerns. This morning I read an article calling the current situation “the worst downturn in generations — one with no bottom in sight.” I’ve lost my radar for hyperbole amid the recent news of doom and disaster, but I don’t think the author intended hyperbole. Most of the article wasn’t really news: the idea that economic downturns disproportionately affect young and relatively less skilled workers is established in the economic literature. The… Read More →