NADO
Annual Training
Conference
Equity and Regional Economic Development
October 17, 2022
This presentation was prepared by New Growth
Innovation Network (NGIN) using Federal funds
under award ED21HDQ3070009 from the U.S.
Economic Development Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce. The statements,
findings, conclusions, and recommendations are
those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the U.S. Economic
Development Administration or the U.S.
Department of Commerce.

2
fourtheconomy.com
2
Approach to Analysis
Maura Kay, Analytics Consultant

Who is this person talking to me?
3
Research & Analysis
Maura
Kay
Background:
➔ Urban Planning and Public Policy specializing in Economic
Development
➔ Previously worked in: Housing, Digital Divide, and Small Business
assistance
Past Projects:
➔ Birmingham Black-Owned Business Support System
➔ Scranton Economic Development Plan
➔ READI: Indiana Regional Development & Acceleration Initiative
➔ Community Pulse Report: COVID impacts on Youth & Families

Purpose of Support
Provide direct technical assistance for six
different Economic Development
Administration region members of NGIN.
Data Framing
Consider and present data relevant to
inclusive recovery. We define inclusive
recovery next.
Specific Needs & Next Steps
Intentionally consider unique needs of six
regions, as well as commonalities across
geographies. This included analyzing the
impacts of COVID on small business in four
regions
We help
communities and
organizations create
strategic, equitable,
and resilient
economies.
4

Inclusive Recovery
5
Inclusive recovery strategies seek to ensure existing
residents and particularly vulnerable or marginalized
residents, benefit from regional change and growth.
Organizations can embed inclusive economic recovery
strategies and goals into their regional plans.

The EDA defines equity as projects/programs that directly benefit:
6
1. One or more traditionally underserved populations, including but not limited to
women, Black, Latinx(e), and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian
Americans, and Pacific Islanders; or
2. Underserved communities within geographies that have been systemically
and/or systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of
economic prosperity such as Tribal Lands, Persistent Poverty Counties (XLSX),
and rural areas with demonstrated, historical underservice.

General Inclusion Metrics
POPULATION
Who lives in your
region?
- Population change
- Education
- Homeownership
- Income
7
WAGES
Who can afford to live
& thrive in your
region?
- COVID impact
on wages
EMPLOYMENT
Who works in your
region?
- Industry growth
- Labor force
- COVID impact on
employment
Whenever possible, indicators were disaggregated by race, ethnicity, age, and sex

Geographic Diversity of Regions
8

Who lives in your region?
9
Shared Observation:
Most regions experienced
population growth from 2010
to 2020, two remained stable.
Impact on Inclusion:
In almost all regions,
population growth is being
driven Black, Hispanic or
Latino, Asian, or Multiracial
populations.
NCTCOG
Source: Census American Community Survey, 2019 5-year estimates

Who lives in your region?
Shared Observation:
White residents were
more likely to be
homeowners than any
other racial group in all
but one region.
Impact on Inclusion:
Homeownership is the
way into many
communities.
10
Source: Census American Community Survey, 2019 5-year estimates
NCTCOG

Who works in your region?
11
Shared Observation:
While most regions lost
employees from 2019 to
2020, losses varied
across industries.
Impact on Inclusion:
High wage industries are
growing. Inclusion means
existing residents
experience this growth
too.
Source: Census Quarterly Workforce Indicators, 2015-2020
MARC

How has COVID impacted work in your region?
12
Shared Observation:
While most regions lost
employees from 2019 to
2020, loses varied across
industries. Often, higher
wage industries experienced
less loss.
Impact on on Inclusion:
Workforce challenges such
as hiring are rooted in these
loses. Are workers being
protected in your region?
NCWEDD
Source: Census Quarterly Workforce Indicators, 2015-2020

Who can afford to thrive in your region?
13
Shared Observation:
The rate of wage
growth picked up
between 2018-2019
and 2019-2020.
Impact on Inclusion:
Wage growth is
occurring evenly across
across races and
ethnicities.
Employment,
2020
Change in
number of
workers,
2019–2020
Average
Annual
Wages, 2020
Change in
Wages, 2018-
2019
Change in
Wages, 2019-
2020
White Alone 55,627 -4.7% $45,084 2.4% 8.1%
Black or African
American Alone 797 -8.9% $39,420 3.7% 4.9%
American Indian or
Alaska Native Alone 1,517 -29.1% $33,384 2.0% 6.9%
Asian Alone 489 -0.8% $51,120 3.8% 5.1%
Multiple Racial
Identities 828 -6.2% $33,924 -1.3% 1.9%
Hispanic Ethnicity* 2,034 -2.4% $44,292 6.0% 6.7%
Source: Census Quarterly Workforce Indicators, 2015-2020
Region 5

Who can afford to thrive in your region?
Shared Observation:
In addition to race and
ethnicity, disaggregating
wage by sex and
educational attainment
provides a fuller picture
of regions.
Impact on Inclusion:
Use the EDA definition to
refine inclusion goals to
reflect your specific
region.
14
Percent of
workforce,
2020
Change in
number of
workers,
2015–2020
Average
Annual
Wages,
2020
Change in
Wages,
2015–2020
Workers with at least
a bachelor's degree 26.8% 9.9% $115,896 9.9%
Workers without a
bachelor's degree 73.2% 9.5% $63,779 20.4%
Employment and Wages by Educational Attainment
NCTCOG
Source: Census Quarterly Workforce Indicators, 2015-2020

Intentional Data Decisions
15

Inclusive Analysis is Based in Listening
Population Inclusion: Recognition of Native Populations and how Census
geographies differ
Data translating: what are you really looking for?
- Tracking down the correct data to characterize the agricultural economy
- Corporate capital: needed resources for small businesses versus venture
capital specifically for tech industry
Right-sizing analysis: Defining micro businesses relative to regions
- Match language to that used by organization or in region
16

What’s Next
17

Data that doesn’t just sit on a shelf
1) Analytics of Technical Assistance: Analytics about the economic impact
of COVID, considering exacerbated economic inequalities and analytics
to identify post-COVID economic growth opportunities which can deliver
an inclusive economic recovery.
2) Final Plan (findings and recommendations): The final plan included data
analysis with a forum for gathering input and feedback from
stakeholders into a final recommendations.
3) Implementation of Technical Assistance: Technical assistance to
build internal capacity to implement recommendations and/or build
external organizational linkages to implement the recommendations.
18

fourtheconomy.com
Questions?
19
Reach me at:
maura.kay@fourtheconomy.com