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

Read a recent profile of Headwaters Economics in NewWest.Net.

Our Latest Work

Potential for Future Development on Fire-Prone Lands
New data illustrates the potential for more home construction next to fire-prone public lands and the implications for future wildfire fighting costs. Only 14% of forested western private land adjacent to public land is currently developed for residential use. Based on current growth trends, there is tremendous potential for future development on the remaining 86%. Our findings

Economic Profile System (2007)
The latest version of the Economic Profile System is now available. The new version

• has been updated with the latest data.
• makes sure that all of your files are current.
• has an improved industry specialization page.

The Changing Economy of Southeast Alaska
This resource explores the economic conditions of Southeast Alaska, and highlights challenges and opportunities.

The Potential Economic Impacts
of the Badlands Wilderness in Central Oregon
This report explores the question of whether and how designation of the Badlands as Wilderness would benefit the communities and economy of Central Oregon, including Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.

The Union Pacific Railroad Line,
Timber and Southwest Montana
This report (.pdf) examines the importance of southwest Montana timber to the Union Pacific Railroad line in the state, and the significance of the Union Pacific Railroad as a mode of transportation for lumber and wood products manufacturers in the region.

Timber, Restoration Forestry and Wilderness in Northeast Washington
This report examines northeast Washington's communities and economy to determine the possible impacts of the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition's "Blueprint" proposal for managing National Forest lands in the region.

Atlas of the Northwest
The Atlas of the Northwest shows areas with high ecological importance, regions where the pace and scale of human activities put pressure on natural resources, and places where there are encouraging opportunities to conserve important natural resources.

Santa Fe National Forest Workshop
We recently hosted a public workshop titled "Know your Social and Economic Situation" for the Santa Fe National Forest. For details about the workshop, discussion notes, and economic analysis, click here.