David Swenson
Research Scientist
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Iowa State University
&
Lecturer
School of Urban and Regional Planning and Public Policy
The University of Iowa
Contact Information
Email dswenson@iastate.edu
Phone 515.294.7458
Mobile 515.509.1429 (preferred during COVID period)
Address 177 Heady Hall, Ames, IA 50011
Quick link to my URP 6290 Class
Other links
Video Library (short instructional videos on many topics)
Studies & reports
Other stuff about me
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
Biomass-related economic impact analysis
Nationwide training initiative sponsored by USDA regarding local foods
economic impact analysis
Wind energy and other clean energy impacts
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:
URP
6290
Economic Impact Assessment (Fall
– The University of Iowa)
CRP 272
Planning Analysis and Techniques I (Fall – ISU)
CRP
523
Economic Analysis, Evaluation, and the Financing of
Public Project (Spring –
ISU)
CRP 566 Values and Decision Making (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
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Video Library
Adjusting Data for Presentation and Analysis
Adjusting for
inflation – MP4 Video
Calculating rates
of change for simple projections – MP4 Video
Using Ratios and
Indexes for Trend Analysis – MP4 Video
The Elements of
Economic Base and Impact Analysis
Introduction to
Economic Base Analysis & Community Basic Sector Multipliers – MP4 Video
Using Location
Quotients to Determine an Area Multiplier – MP4 Video
Calculating
Location Quotients to Measure Industrial Specialization – MP4 Video
Calculating
Occupational Location Quotients – MP4 Video
Input Output Logic
and Mathematics: Introduction – MP4 Video
Introduction to
RIMS II Multipliers – MP4
Video
Further
Applications of RIMS II Multipliers – Bill of Goods Demonstration – MP4
Video
Market or Trade
Area Considerations
Trade Performance
Measures – MP4 Video
Regional Trade Area
Analysis: Using Reilly’s Law to Determine Trade Territories – MP4 Video
What is a Labor
Shed? – MP4 Video
Basic Demographics
Introduction to the
American Community Survey – MP4
Video
Introduction to
Sampling and Probability – MP4
Video
Sample Size and
Spatial Coverage – MP4
Video
Components of
Population Change – MP4
Video
Demographics Affecting Rural Schools – MP4 Video
Analyzing Public
Finance Data
Property tax
capacity and effort – MP4 Video
Other Instructional
/ Workshops
Extension Outreach
and Public Service: Determining or Public Worth and Conveying it Properly
– MP4 Video
Benefit Cost
Analysis Videos
1. Introduction to benefit cost analysis and its history: Link
2. Introduction to BCA plus an introduction to welfare economics: Link
3. Welfare economics continued: Link
4. Discussions on consumer surplus, market failures, and remedies: Link
5. Elements of BCA – benefits and costs identified: Link
6. Elementary BCA examples and discussion: Link
7. Time value of money: Link Note: I make a spreadsheet error – pay attention to what I say, not what I do (-;
8. Additional discussion on valuing inputs and outputs into BCA: Link
9. Circular A-94 and additional discussion of BCA examples: Link
10.BCA Case Studies: Link