Research Services

Below are examples of the ways in which the Virginia Center for Urban Development is available to assist business and government clients.  Please contact us for more information as to how we can address your research and project needs.

Statistical Analysis 
The Center can perform various types of statistical analysis:  modeling, regression analysis and forecasting.  Our staff uses several statistical software packages, including STATA, SPSS and RATS. 
 
Public Policy Research 
The Center continues to research issues that affect the citizens and economy of the Greater Richmond area. Below are some reports that the Center has prepared of its research findings.

• An Analysis of Virginia's Biotechnology Industry 

• Higher Education Support for Economic Development  

• Workforce Readiness Steering Committee Briefing Report   

• Riverboat Gaming in America: Some Questions and Answers 

• 2003 Comprehensive Financial Report 

Economic Impact Analysis 
Using the "IMPLAN Pro" model, our staff can develop and conduct an economic impact analysis for any area of Virginia.  Additional data can be acquired to analyze other parts of the United States.  Some uses of economic impact analysis include determining the amount of money brought into an area by a tourist event, examining the impact from the closing of a local manufacturing firm, or looking at how changes in personal spending will affect a local economy. 

• Prosperity Through Preservation   (2008)
  -  This is a report released by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources in January 2008.  Information presented in
     the document are based upon the results of our economic impact analysis of Virginia's historic rehabilitation tax credit program.

• Economic Impact of the Fabergé Exhibitions   

• An Analysis of Virginia's Biotechnology Industry 
   

Mapping and Demographic Analysis  
The Virginia Center for Urban Development can produce custom color maps according to your geographic or demographic needs. 

Survey Research 
The Center conducts the VCU Metro Poll, which is a telephone survey with a randomly-selected sample of adult residents living in the Richmond Metropolitan Area (i.e., the City of Richmond and the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico). In addition we prepare surveys to examine the demographic and expenditure information of visitors to tourist attractions in the Richmond metropolitan area.  The Center for Urban Development can design and implement a survey that will address most any type of research need. 

• Metro Poll

• African-American Sports Hall of Fame. An Estimate of Visitor Potential   

• Fabergé Exhibition Visitor Survey   

• Maymont Flower and Garden Show Visitor Survey  
  

Research from other Organizations

The Business Improvement District (BID) approach  to service delivery in commercial centers is one in which a majority of property owners and/or merchants that have agreed to provide an extra level of public service in a specific area by imposing an added tax or fee on all the properties and business in that area.  In this report by Professor Jerry  Mitchell, he explores this new form of public administration by presenting research on the structure , function, and management of BIDs in the United States.  Based on his research, he also makes recommendations for improving BIDs and presents his thoughts on future BIDs.

• Business Improvement District (BID) (pdf file)

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