Project Archive 

© Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University.

Recent Work

A “Value-Added” Measure of School Performance in Indiana

To more accurately assess the quality of Indiana public school corporations, this study develops and applies an adjusted performance measure — the “value-added” measure — to isolate the contribution of school corporations to student outcomes after accounting for poverty and demographic factors.

Work Disincentives: Policy Responses to Low Returns of Full-Time Work for Poor Households

In this study, we find that while full-time employment significantly improves economic wellbeing for most households, it yields almost no improvement for those already living in poverty.

The policy brief is based on Fisher, et al., 2023, in the Journal of Poverty. This work is supported by Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities program area [grant no. 2019-68006-29639/project accession no. 1018659] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

The Economic Effects of Greyhound Racing in West Virginia

This study examines the economic effects of greyhound racing in West Virginia, with careful attention paid to both its direct footprint and its wider economic linkages to local communities, state finances, and associated industries.

Indiana Economic Outlook 2026 & The 2026 Forecast: It's the Tariffs

We review the factors affecting economic performance throughout 2025, discuss the ripple effects of tariffs and foreign policy, and share predictions for the 2026 economy in the United States and Indiana. This forecast was created as part of the 2026 Indiana Economic Outlook forecasting breakfast in downtown Muncie, IN, on Jan. 21, 2026.

Keynote panel discussion by Scott Buehrer (B. Walter & Co. and Vigor Therapy Equipment) and Steven M. Smith (Mid-West Metal Products Co.). The 2026 program sponsor is Indiana Michigan Power and ECI Regional Partnership Development.

  School District Responses to Property Tax Caps, Referenda, and State Funding Formula Changes

In this policy brief we provide (1) an overview of changes to public school funding in Indiana due to tax caps, referenda, and state funding formula changes, and (2) a summary of a study conducted by Ball State researchers, which examines the impact of these changes.

The policy brief summarizes the findings of a journal article of the same title published in the Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, December 2024.

 

 

School District Responses to Property Tax Caps, Referenda, and State Funding Formula Changes

In this policy brief we provide (1) an overview of changes to public school funding in Indiana due to tax caps, referenda, and state funding formula changes, and (2) a summary of a study conducted by Ball State researchers, which examines the impact of these changes. Published March 25, 2025.

The policy brief summarizes the findings of a journal article of the same title published in the Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, December 2024.

  • Policy brief
  • Journal article
  • Authors: Charles D. Taylor, Dagney Faulk
  • Browse publications tagged #Education

Child Care and Women's Participation in the Workforce: Estimates for Indiana

In this brief, we examine (1) the relationship between child care availability and the level of women’s participation in the workforce, (2) the underlying financial factors that affect the demand for child care services and the supply of child care workers, and (3) an overview of public policies and programs available in Indiana. Published June 26, 2024.

  • Policy brief
  • Authors: Dagney Faulk, Michael J. Hicks, Madelyn Ponsier
  • Browse publications tagged #Family-and-Households

Indiana Has a Monopoly Problem in Healthcare: Preliminary Evidence and Recommendations

This policy brief provides preliminary analysis as to the degree of competition in Indiana's healthcare markets. We conclude that evidence strongly suggests healthcare markets in Indiana experience significant monopoly power, which has increased prices, allowed not-for-profit providers to accrue stunningly large profits, increased the burden on Hoosier families, and likely reduced healthcare outcomes across the state. Published Sept. 25, 2019.

  • Policy brief
  • Author: Michael J. Hicks
  • Browse studies tagged #Health

Fiscal, Economic, and Social Effects of Immigration in the Hoosier State

This study details the current realities and implications of immigration in Indiana as a whole, including effects on demographics, education, wealth and poverty, employment, and the labor market. Study sponsored by Conexus Indiana. Published May 13, 2019.

To supplement this study, we have created fact sheets for each Economic Growth/Workforce Development region, which give a snapshot of how the foreign-born population is changing at these various geographies, as well as the benefits and challenges they represent.

  • Immigration study
  • Fact sheets for regions 1-6 (northern half)
  • Fact sheets for regions 7-12 (southern half)
  • Authors: Emily J. Wornell and Michael J. Hicks
  • Browse studies tagged #Population-Growth-And-Migration 

The Myth and the Reality of Manufacturing in America

This study for Conexus Indiana examines the composition of the industry before and after the Great Recession. We debunk common misconceptions about manufacturing and estimate the industry's future health.

  • Economic study
  • Authors: Michael J. Hicks and Srikant Devaraj
  • Browse studies tagged #Manufacturing

How Vulnerable Are American Communities to Automation, Trade, & Urbanization?

This study highlights divergence in regional economic performance and the impact on households and communities, which necessitates an urgent call to research and policy analysis. The executive summary provides an overview of key points, and the appendix shows larger regional maps of county-level data for all 50 states.

  • Study, executive summary, and appendices
  • Authors: Srikant Devaraj, Michael J. Hicks, Dagney Faulk, and Emily J. Wornell
  • Browse studies tagged #Technology-and-Automation

Assessing E-Readiness and the Human Development & Technology Index

This study, Assessing Indiana's E-Readiness in the Development of the Digital Society, seeks to bridge the gaps in research on the relationship between broadband accessibility and human development by assessing the e-readiness of Indiana counties.

In the companion piece, Human Development & Technology in US Counties, the authors expand the scope of their previous research using the Human Development & Technology Index (HDTI) to assess geographic trends in the access to and the quality of broadband technology across all US counties. This work includes considerations for policy makers.

  • HDTI studies
  • Authors: Srikant Devaraj, Sushil Sharma, Emily J. Wornell, and Michael J. Hicks
  • Browse studies tagged #Workforce-and-Human-Capital
  • Browse studies tagged #Media-and-Communications

What Comes First, People or Jobs? Evidence and Lessons from Indiana

In this study, we examine population and employment growth in Indiana’s 92 counties in the decades of the 1970s and the 2000s to determine whether job attraction or people attraction is a larger factor in county population growth. We control for educational attainment, initial population, urban/rural influence, natural amenities, income inequality and intergenerational mobility, the size of local government, and spatial spillover effects.

  • Economic study
  • Authors: Michael J. Hicks and Dagney Faulk
  • Browse studies tagged #Employment

Disaster Impact Studies

This collection focuses on the economic impact of natural disasters, including flood and storm damage.

Education

This collection encompasses a broad range of education topics, including K-12 school performance, cost-benefit of college, and educational attainment effects on standard of living and workforce issues.

Forecasts

These studies use data trends and modeling software to project future growth and volatility in a particular industry or for an entire economy. 

Indiana Communities Institute

CBER partners with the Indiana Communities Institute on a multitude of projects that combine economic development wisdom with data-rich analysis. This collection also includes collaborations with the RUPRI Center for State Policy, the Center for Community Economic Development, and Building Better Communities. 

Indiana Toll Road Corridor Project

This collection finalizes two years of research, resulting in an analytical economic development study. The study team from Ball State University evaluated the efficacy of multiple and varied strategies for potential implementation in the seven northernmost counties of Indiana, collectively referred to as the Indiana Toll Road Corridor. 

Local Government Reform and Consolidation

Local government consolidation is a topic on the minds of many cities, townships, and counties as they look for cost-saving measures. We approach the subject as an unbiased researcher, evaluating the data and predicting the impacts of a possible consolidation of government services.

Mounds Lake Reservoir

In this collection of documents, professionals from many disciplines weigh in on the proposed Mounds Lake Reservoir project in Madison and Delaware counties in East Central Indiana. Note: This peer review is simply the professional opinion of the authors and is not sponsored by any organization.

Primacy of Place

The Primacy of Place Initiative focuses on sustainable community development that focuses on improving the quality of life of residents. These features include high-quality schools, valued public services and amenities, and updated infrastructure.

Property Tax, Housing, and Real Estate

This collection focuses on public policy issues pertaining to real estate, including property tax caps, assessment accuracy, and impact on government revenue.

Tax Increment Financing

Tax increment financing (TIF) has been used to spur economic development and business attraction, but is the payoff worth the investment?