Creating a Comprehensive “State of the Region” Report Presented by Greg Weeks, Ph.D.

1. Creating a Comprehensive “State of the Region” Report Presented by Greg Weeks, Ph.D. Washington State Employment Security Department Director Labor Market and Economic Analysis April 11, 2008 Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel Phoenix, AZ

2. Probably defined by non-traditional geography Multiple states Multiple areas Sub areas Specialized areas of interest Specific industry groupings Unique workforce issues Regional Report

3. General overview of the economy Industry mix, population, unemployment General overview of areas of interest Identify targeted areas Establishing a benchmark Measure changes in indicators Purpose of the Report

4. Information about the economy Information about the workforce What makes this region special Quality of life Location Key sector measures Contents of Report

5. Ability to compare Sub region Region State Nation Multiple time periods Where are we today Where did we come from Data Attributes

6. Data Needs • What’s important? • What data might support it? • Is data available? • Does it show what I expected it to?

7. State LMI websites or staff Bureau of Economic Analysis Census, ACS Where do I get the Data?

8. Economy Workforce Targeted area Quality of Life Regional Report Sections

9. Unemployment Rate Income level Median Per capita Employment growth Poverty levels Retail sales Information about the Economy

10. Age, race, ethnicity of workforce Education attainment High school College PhD Population characteristics Age forecasts Information about the Workforce

11. Industry employment by age Average wages for occupations in industry Growth of firms Employment forecasts Information about the Targeted Sector

12. Hard to find consistent data Non-traditional sources It may not show what you’re expecting Commute time Amount of rainfall Parks acreage Information about Quality of Life

13. Ability to compare sub region, region, state, nation Multiple time periods Data Attributes for EACH data source

14. Information About the Economy

15. Information about the Workforce

16. Information about Targeted Industries

17. Ability to compare sub region, region, state, nation Multiple time periods Non-traditional Geographies Specialize Industry groups/areas of focus Data Attributes for EACH data source

18. Managing the Data

19. Managing the scope Amount of data Format for report Data visualization is key What are you trying to show, what’s the best way to accomplish that Data updated before you’re done Duplication of effort Risk Areas

20. Examples and Sources

21. Sources

24. Geographies may be a challenge Determine what’s important Identify and collect data Make sure it says what you think it does Clear visualization of information Leverage existing resources Stay organized In Summary

25. Look at other examples Paper reports Summary reports Online tools Formatting, sources, and organization Not all areas are created equal In Summary

26. Questions and Discussion

27. THANK YOU! Greg Weeks (360) 438-4804 gweeks@esd.wa.gov