Regional & Urban Studies
Introduction
The Upjohn Institute approaches regional and urban issues from two perspectives.- Researchers do national and international research on how urban and regional labor markets function, on both the labor demand and labor supply side, and on how public policy might improve local labor market outcomes.
- The Institute also does regular forecasting, economic impact, and policy studies on various aspects of the different local economies in west Michigan.
In addition, the Institute has developed dashboard indicator reports that both identify and track growth factors for urban areas and benchmarking studies for both rural and urban areas. Finally, the Institute continues to explore approaches to better link the business community with the area’s training providers.
Issues
- What can be done to improve labor market outcomes in various types of regions: older cities, small and medium-sized cities, states, or metropolitan areas with significant labor market problems?
- What is the economic impact of various shocks to local labor demand or local labor supply?
- How can data be used to guide regional economic development policy more effectively?
- What is the economic forecast for west Michigan?
- How can businesses and education/training providers develop more effective partnerships?
Selected Institute Research
Business Outlook for West Michigan Quarterly journal published by the Upjohn InstituteWhat Should Michigan Be Doing to Promote Long-Run Economic Development?
Timothy Bartik, Upjohn Institute
Upjohn Institute Working Paper No. 09-160, November 2009
“The Revitalization of Older Industrial Cities: A Review Essay of Retooling for Growth”
Timothy Bartik, Upjohn Institute
Growth and Change 40(1): 1-29, 2009
Small Cities Blues: Looking for Growth Factors in Small and Medium-Sized Cities
George Erickcek, Upjohn Institute
Hannah McKinney, Kalamazoo College
Upjohn Institute Working Paper No. 04-100, June 2004
Dashboard Indicators for the Northeast Ohio Economy: Prepared for the Fund for Our Economic Future 
Randall Eberts, Upjohn Institute
George Erickcek, Upjohn Institute
Jack Kleinhenz, Kleinhenz & Associates
Federal Reserve Bank of Ohio Working Paper No. 06-05, April 2006
More Institute Research about Regional & Urban Studies