Associate Scientist
Department of Economics
College of Agriculture
Iowa State University
Contact Information
Email
dswenson@iastate.edu
Phone
515.294.7458
Mobile
515.509.1429
Address
177 Heady Hall, Ames, IA 50011
Quick links to my
Class websites
Video Library (short instructional videos on many topics)
Studies & reports (Publications link is on the right side of the page)
Other stuff about me
CV My resume
Research and Service Summary
My work is in community economic analysis, technical assistance, outreach and projects supporting the department’s and the Ag College’s efforts in community development and in providing economics education services to the public. Areas of research and specialization include community and regional economic studies and evaluations, economic development research and technical assistance, input-output (economic impact) studies, fiscal impact research, public finance and tax policy, community change and worker mobility issues, and public program and project evaluation.
My services are delivered to communities, citizens, public and private organizations and to local or state government via research reports, on-site training and education programming, community and staff educational curriculum development, print and broadcast media interviews, and through seminars and public speaking appearances. I work in collaboration with and directly in support of all ISU and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences economic outreach activities, to include ISU extension services and other university centers.
Current
Research and Service Projects
Prospects and limits to local foods development
in the Midwest and in Iowa
Economic impact evaluation guidelines for public
universities
Tax Increment Financing reform
Green jobs and implications for rural areas
Targeted industrial analysis and assessment for
Iowa regions (EDA Funded)
General research and technical assistance to the
Center for Industrial Research and Services
Leopold Center funded research on
o Local ownership of ethanol plants
o The economic and fiscal impacts of organic crop conversion
o The economic impacts of fresh fruits and vegetable production in Iowa State University
Ongoing outreach, research, and services in
support of the College of Agriculture’s and the economic department’s efforts
in rural development and economics education
Teaching (click on course code below for a direct link to course web site)
I am an adjunct lecturer and a member of the graduate faculty in the community and regional planning program at ISU and, separately, I am a lecturer in the graduate program in urban and regional planning at The University of Iowa.
My current or recent courses are:
CRP 272 Planning Analysis and Techniques I (Fall – ISU)
URP 102:290 Economic Impact Assessment (Fall – The University of Iowa)
CRP 523 Economic Analysis, Evaluation, and the Financing of Public Project (Spring – ISU)
CDEV 532X Economic Analysis II (Great Plains IDEA)
Degrees
MA Urban and Regional Planning, The University of Iowa, 1985
MA Political Science, University of South Dakota, 1981
BA Political Science and Criminal Justice, University of South Dakota, 1979
Bachelor of Rhymes Cheyenne-Eagle Butte kindergarten, Eagle Butte, SD. 1961