Mission
Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group. Our mission is to improve community development and land management decisions in the West.

Latest Work

Economic Profile System: Making Better Economic and Land Management Decisions

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The Economic Profile System (EPS) is free, easy-to-use software used by public lands managers, county planners, economic development directors, county commissioners, businesses, researchers, and others to produce socioeconomic profiles of their communities, counties, and regions.

Energy and the West: Informing Choices About Energy Development

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The Energy and the West series considers the impact of fossil fuel energy development on states, counties, and communities, from the perspectives of economic performance and fiscal health. State and local area case studies explore benefits and costs in greater detail.

The Three Wests: Understanding Western Communities and Economic Growth

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Research shows that there are three distinctly different types of counties in the West, defined by their access to major markets and population centers. This web-based interactive tool helps community leaders learn more about their county, compare it to others, and consider what similar counties have done as policy options.

Wildfire: Impacts and Costs of Residential Development

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Our West-wide research illustrates the potential for more home construction next to fire-prone public lands. A Montana case-study documents a strong correlation between residential development and the costs of fighting wildfires.