Research

Chippewa Valley Center for
Economic Research and Development

Mission Statement

The Chippewa Valley Center for Economic Research and Development (CVCERD) provides local/regional economic data as well as research and analysis as a service to the community. Our mission is to supply basic economic information and to produce and disseminate timely economic analysis in order to help foster economic development in the region.

In accomplishing this mission, we strive to create strong and lasting relationships between the university and the area business community as well as local/regional public officials. In addition, we pride ourselves on providing hands-on experience for our economics majors by involving students in our research and analysis activities.

Faculty and students working under the banner of the CVCERD can for example, track trends in the local economy and perform studies investigating a variety of other topics of special interest to the region.


The CVCERD is proud to announce a new affiliation with the University of Wisconsin-Extension (UW-EX). This partnership is the result of a collaborative effort between Dr. Eric Jamelske (CVCERD) and Andrew Dane of UW-EX Barron/Chippewa Counties. In the summer of 2007 this effort yielded a $10,000 grant to research local food systems in Western Wisconsin during the 2007-08 academic year. Please see below for more information on this local foods research project.

It is our plan to use this intial grant for local food systems research as the foundation for a long and successful working relationship between UWEC, CVCERD and UW-EX. This partnership makes particular sense because it strengthens our ability to collaborate across institutions to meet community and economic development research needs in the Chippewa Valley and Western Wisconsin.

The CVCERD gratefully acknowledges generous funding support from the following sources:

• Xcel Energy
• Northwestern Bank
• UW-Extension
• UWEC Economics Department
• UWEC Office of Research & Sponsored Programs and Differential Tuition Program
  

Questions?

Do you have a question relating to economics or the local economy? Click below to ask an economist at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eric Jamelske or Thomas Kemp

Current Projects

Economic Indicators for the Chippewa Valley: Click here for more information

The CVCERD collects and maintains a variety of local, regional and state economic data. These data have been organized into a database that can be used for local/regional economic research. Additionally, these data are available for download from our website making the CVCERD a one-stop-shop for this type of economic data.

We also prepare monthly and year-end reports using these data. These reports are released through stories in the local media and are also available on our website.

Eau Claire Area Stock Basket: Click here for more information

The CVCERD has partnered with the Leader-Telegram to collect and maintain stock market data for a list of publicly-owned companies that are of local or regional interest. We track the performance of these companies through a simple investment basket called the Eau Claire Area Stock Basket (ECB). We will also compare the performance of the ECB to similar investments in variations of the Dow Jones Industrial (DJI), the Standard & Poor’s Index (S&P) and gold.

This on-going project is a regular feature in the business section of the Leader-Telegram each Tuesday. We also prepare quarterly and year-end reports using these data. These reports are released through stories in the local media and are also available on our website.


Wisconsin Local Foods Project: Click here for more information

In Western Wisconsin there is a strong push to develop a more robust local/regional food system, for economic development as well as for environmental and health reasons.

The CVCERD has recently partnered with UW-EX Baron/Chippewa Counties on a very timely research project. A $10,000 grant was secured through UW-EX to conduct an applied local food research project. This project will document the degree to which local food is produced and consumed in Western Wisconsin. This research will also contribute to existing efforts aimed at increasing local food purchasing and consumption in the region and state. Overall, this project will provide basic data and information as well as analysis and outreach to support and tie together these efforts.

Northern Wisconsin State Fair: Visitor Profile and Economic Impact Study (Chippewa Falls): Click here for report

Impact of UWEC on the Chippewa Valley Economy: Click here for report (MS Word)

Hmong Population Research Project: Click here for more information

The CVCERD is bringing together an extensive collection of demographic and economic data on the Hmong population in the U.S. with the purpose of making these data easily available to a wider audience. These data come from the U.S. Census Bureau Surveys (1990, 2000).

We seek to provide a comprehensive picture of the economic and social status of the Hmong community in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California, which together comprise the vast majority of the nation's Hmong population. We also hope to provide comparisons between the Hmong and other ethnic groups along a number dimensions. his project is an on-going effort, so the scope and depth of the data available will grow over time.

Chippewa Valley Economy: Recent Regional Trends (MS Word)

The Chippewa Valley Economy (Fall 1999): Regional per capita income and recent trends (pdf)


Additional Links: Click here for other local, regional and state economic resources