1. How has Ames grown?: A comparative view Peter F. Orazem Department of Economics Iowa State University pfo@iastate.edu 294-8656 January 18, 2007 SETA SETA 17 East Hall Ames, IA 50010-1070 Tel: 515-294-9903 Fax: 515-294-0592 seta@iastate.edu seta@iastate.edu

2. Ames Has Grown Compared to Iowa Average http://www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/empstat/msanonag.htm Note: 9 of the 13 largest employers in Ames are in govt./nonprofit

3. Ames Should Grow Faster than Iowa Average Urban County Adjacent to Metro Contains Interstate Contains a Research I University

4. Ames Should Grow Faster than Iowa Average Topics Measures of Growth Suitable Comparisons What is the correct geography of the Ames economy?

5. Measures of Growth Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Database Population College influence Noisy as we get farther from Census yearsEmployment Full and Part-time Moonlighting Wage (Earnings per job) Job Quality Includes Benefits Aggregate Income Measure of Local Production Income per Capita Per person measure of economic production

6. Suitable Comparisons Counties in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area Midwestern counties containing large public universities

7. Source: Liesl Eathington, SETA

12. Suitable Comparisons Counties in the Des Moines Metropolitan Area Midwestern counties containing large public universities

17. SUMMARY INFORMATION ON GROWTH

18. Data Source: http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/

19. Data Source: http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/

20. Data Source: http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/

21. Source: Liesl Eathington, 2005 Retail Trade Analysis Reports for Ames,Iowa http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/ http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/ AMES SALES ARE LOW RELATIVE TO POTENTIAL SALES BASED ON POPULATION AND INCOME STATE NORM

22. STORY Eathington, Liesl. “Characteristics of Growth and Change in Iowa’s Workforce: Issues for Families and Communities” http://www.seta.iastate.edu/library.aspx?lmode=2&ltopic=3

24. What is the correct geography of the Ames economy? Ames is part of the Greater Des Moines market Commuting Information Education Regional Transportation Shopping Entertainment

25. Concluding Comment Ames economic growth is tied to success of the overall integrated Des Moines market Danger—Ames may become a backwater waiting for spillover from the faster growing areas if it just wants its share of the Des Moines market. Ames must continue to attract business that is attracted uniquely to what Ames can offer

26. Data Source: http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/http://www.seta.iastate.edu/retail/publications/2005rta/