Economic Development Program
The Economic Development program at CSU has two primary initiatives: supporting regional economic research and fostering community economic partnerships.
Supporting Regional Economic Research
Colorado State University’s Office of Economic Development has built an innovative partnership with the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation to conduct research and analysis of key economic issues facing the region and the state. This effort is spearheaded by Dr. Martin Shields, a professor in CSU’s Economics Department.
Economic Policy Research and Analysis
Our research seeks to inform state and regional policy decisions. Ongoing projects include:
- Building Northern Colorado’s clean energy workforce. Partnering with the Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative and the Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster, this project helps to develop the talent and skills needed in the new energy economy.
- Colorado State University’s role in local and state economic development.
- Meeting Northern Colorado’s workforce challenges over the next five years.
Economic Research Publications
- 2009 Economic Outlook (pdf). An overview of the economic forecast for Northern Colorado
- 2009 Economic Outlook Supplement: Detailed Industry Report (pdf). This is a detailed look at select Northern Colorado industries.
- Primary Employment Trends in Larimer County, 2008 (pdf). Although primary jobs are declining as a share of the regional economy, the sector's high wages continue to prime the economy.
- Northern Colorado’s Health Care Economy (pdf). The health care and social assistance sector is an important and growing part of the Larimer County economy. This 2007 report describes the economic growth of a sector that has accounted for 1 of every 2 net private new jobs in the county.
To find out more about CSU’s economic research work, please contact
Dr. Martin Shields
Department of Economics
Colorado State University
Phone: 970.491.2922
E-mail: martin.shields@colostate.edu
Fostering Community Economic Partnerships
In a global economy, regional and local communities are as important as ever. The Internet may help many people connect, but people live in communities and continue to engage their community’s social and economic institutions, particularly during times of transition. CSU’s goal is to help communities enhance their quality of life. Projects include:
- The Northern Colorado Higher Education Joint Venture, a regional partnership with Aims Community College, Front Range Community College, The University of Northern Colorado, and CSU.
- Partnership with the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation to support projects including regional economic research.
- Links to CSU Extension to deliver research based knowledge to communities, support youth development and manage 4-H state-wide.
- Links to CSU Continuing Education to deliver campus-based programs, degrees and certificates locally.
- Participation in Embrace Colorado, which connects stakeholders to build a regional vision for Northern Colorado.
- Economic opportunity assessments using student teams and faculty support to provide data driven and grassroots ideas to county leaders. Projects have been completed in four Colorado counties.
- CSU-Global Campus, established as an online university in 2008 to serve the higher education needs of those who cannot travel to a campus.