The wildfires that burned the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park devastated nearby communities and underscore the need to reduce the risks and costs of future catastrophic events.
Blog
As Energy Market Forces Shift Coal Woes West, Transition Planning Should Follow
The new Administration’s plans to remove coal regulations should not dampen efforts to shift coal transition planning West to assist displaced workers and diversify coal-dependent communities.
Trails Are Good for All But Not Available to All
Trails are good for people, but the health and social benefits of trails are not equally available to everyone.
Trails and the Elusive Quality of Life
Many people talk about trails and quality of life, but how do we measure and obtain it?
Economic Conditions in Communities Dependent on Federal Coal
This blog draws on federal data and research to describe more about the local economies of the communities dependent on federal coal.
Changed Electric Power Markets Create New Volatility for Coal
Lower overall coal generating capacity—the outcome of coal fired power plant retirements and a demand for coal that rises and falls depending on natural gas prices—will create new volatility for coal jobs and for counties, schools, and states that depend on tax revenues from coal.
Identifying Communities at Risk to Wildfire
Mapping and understanding communities at risk from wildfires just became easier with a new interactive tool generated by Headwaters Economics.
Measuring the Benefit of Trails to Communities
Updated tools, research, and studies on the benefit of trails to communities and local citizens.
Wildlife Refuge Payments: Reforms and Funding
How national wildlife refuge payments–especially important to rural counties–could be reformed and funded.
Rising Wildfire Costs Encourage Better Land Use Planning
Five urban areas in the West and Southwest are taking steps to mitigate wildfire risks and costs through the perspective of land use planning.
Trails and the Benefits to Your Community
Headwaters Economics has updated its Trails Library to include 105 studies on trails, searchable by benefit, use, year, and region.
Know Your Economy: Economic Tools Updated for Every County
Understanding the local economy, and how it compares to peers, is a crucial part of smart community and economic development. Several new tools, utilizing the latest data (through 2014), now are available for every county in the nation.
LWCF Rewards Republican Congressional Districts
Many Congressional Districts benefit from LWCF, and Republican Districts have seen disproportionate LWCF investment for federal land acquisition.
One Click: Socioeconomic Reports for Every County
Understanding what drives the local economy is crucial to smart community and economic development. This map provides detailed socioeconomic reports for every county.
Urban Areas Drive Economic Growth in the West
Despite being known for its rural landscapes, the West is surprisingly urban.
The West Today: What Sectors Drive the Economy?
In the West today, what economic sectors are driving the economy and make up the growing workforce?
Will Federal Coal Valuation Reforms Hurt the Coal Industry? Yes And No
The Office of Natural Resources Revenue recently proposed a new rule that would change the way federal coal is valued for royalty purposes. Will it hurt the industry? Yes and No.
Understanding Climate Change Impacts on Cities, Counties, and National Forest Regions
A sample of research and free tools available to help communities better understand the potential socioeconomic impacts of climate change.
Understanding the Recreation Economy on Nearby Public Lands
How can communities measure and take advantage of the economic impacts of nearby outdoor recreation activities on public lands?
Getting the Economics Right: Communities, National Forests, and Local Development Decisions
Getting the economics right is important for communities to compete in a modern economy. We’ve created a number of tools to help rural, western communities better understand current trends as well as the role of the nearby National Forest or other public lands.