COVID-19 RESPONSE: COMMUNITY RESILIENCY IN THE HOOSIER STATE (POLICY BRIEF SERIES)
To better understand the varied effects of COVID-19 in communities throughout Indiana, a survey of local government officials was conducted by Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (AIM), the Association of Indiana Counties (AIC), and Ball State University researchers at the Bowen Center for Public Affairs, CBER, and Indiana Communities Institute.
The purpose of these policy briefs is to provide government policymakers and community decision-makers with more comprehensive and in-depth data on budgetary/fiscal stress, technology, administration, public health, and community health as decisions are made regarding resource allocation and policy development.
How Many School-Age Children Lack Internet Access in Indiana?
This study explores regional variation in internet access among Indiana households with school-age children. The lack of access likely resulted in significant differences in the quality and quantity of school instruction received by Hoosier students during the Spring 2020 school closings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, this lack of internet access will make virtual learning difficult for some children if schools opt to have online education for the upcoming school year. Published July 9, 2020.
The COVID-19 Pandemic in Indiana: Documenting Its Spread and the Social Distancing Behavior of Hoosiers
Using locational data from individual cellphone users provided by the SafeGraph Corporation, we investigate the effects of social distancing for Indiana. More specifically, we examine whether Indiana’s Stay at Home order and other events affected two aspects of social distancing: the percent of people who leave their homes on a given day and the number of visits to common points of interest (POIs), including gas stations, supercenters, and grocery stores. Published July 6, 2020.
The Recovery After COVID-19: Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality Industries of Indiana
The COVID-19 virus pandemic has caused a major shock to travel, tourism, and hospitality worldwide. The authors give recommendations for recovery regarding both industry actions and policy decisions. Published June 24, 2020.
The Financial Impacts of COVID-19 on Indiana’s Local Governments
The counties, cities and towns, townships, and various other special districts that we rely upon for the most essential services have often performed in plain sight without much fanfare. This paper examines the financial constraints that these local governing bodies are just beginning to experience, will soon experience, or need to plan for as we work our way through this crisis as it pertains to the reduced availability of revenues to provide essential services. Published April 30, 2020.
Relief Check Meets Reality Check: Some Guidelines for Optimizing the Value from Your Stimulus Distribution
In this report, we provide a set of guidelines to help Indiana taxpayers more effectively spend their stimulus checks. Our guidelines make use of basic financial planning concepts and are designed to be helpful for any taxpayer, regardless of familiarity with business concepts. Recommendations are based on both the individual’s financial need and the desire for rainy day savings. Published April 21, 2020.
Preliminary Fiscal Effects of COVID-19 on Indiana’s Local Tax Revenues
In this impact brief, we simulate the effects of COVID-19 and responses to the disease on local government tax revenues in the short run. Published April 9, 2020.
What Will the Next Three Months Look Like? Simulating the Impact of Social Distancing on GDP and Employment
In this brief analysis, we provide a potential scope of the impact on employment in Indiana in the wake of COVID-19, providing simulations of the likely effect of extreme social distancing on the state’s economy in 2020. Published March 19, 2020.
Occupational Exposure to Social Distancing: A Preliminary Analysis Using O*NET Data
The growing risk of contracting COVID-19 has prompted calls in many nations to engage in Social Distancing. This is a deliberate effort to reduce the transmission of the disease in businesses, schools, and gathering places. Published March 13, 2020.