ASSESSING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS IN NORTHEAST MINNESOTA

This report presents a framework for assessing regional development options in which alternative futures for northeast Minnesota are first delineated. Regional development goals, objectives, and options emerge from an economic strategy process in which the regional implications of individual development options are derived with the help of a new computer-based capability for simulating alternative regional futures. A tourism/recreation development option is selected, finally, for evaluation of its regional economic impact.Community/Rural/Urban Development,

The Effects of Aquatic Invasive Species on Property Values: Evidence from a Quasi-Random Experiment

The invasion of ecosystems by non-native species is widely considered to be a principal threat to global biological diversity, yet the social costs of invasive species are not well-understood. The purpose of this study is to estimate a hedonic model of lakeshore property values to quantify the effects of a common aquatic invasive species – Eurasian Watermilfoil – on property values across an extensive system of over 170 lakes in the northern forest region of Wisconsin. In addition to providing empirical evidence as to the potential benefits from reducing the spread of invasive species, this paper also develops a quasi-experimental methodology to identify the effects of changes in endogenous neighborhood amenities within the commonly estimated hedonic framework. In our application, a lake is more likely to be invaded with Milfoil if it is more popular with recreational boaters. Therefore, since lakes popular with recreational boaters are also likely to be popular with potential residents, and since many aspects of a lake’s amenities may be difficult to quantify, the likelihood of Milfoil invasions is endogenous in a hedonic price equation. Our identification strategy is based on a spatial difference-in-difference specification, and uses fixed effects to control for observed and unobserved neighborhood effects, while exploiting changes in the Milfoil status of several lakes during the time period of our data. Results indicate that lakes invaded with Milfoil experienced an average 13% decrease in land values after invasion. The Milfoil results are robust across linear and non-linear specifications.Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The Effects of Aquatic Invasive Species on Property Values: Evidence from a Quasi-random Experiment

This study uses hedonic analysis to estimate the effects of a common aquatic invasive species--Eurasian Watermilfoil (milfoil)--on property values across an extensive system of over 170 lakes in the northern forest region of Wisconsin. Since milfoil is inadvertently spread by recreational boaters, and since boaters are more likely to visit attractive lakes, variables indicating the presence of milfoil are endogenous in a hedonic model. Using an identification strategy based on a spatial difference-in-differences specification, results indicate that lakes invaded with milfoil experienced an average 13% decrease in land values after invasion.

Native Artists: Livelihoods, Resources, Space, Gifts

Examines the experiences of Ojibwe artists in Minnesota, including access to training, funding, space, paying markets, and institutional support; discrimination and isolation; and relationships with communities. Profiles artists and makes recommendations

Spartan Daily December 3, 2012

Volume 139, Issue 48https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/1364/thumbnail.jp

RHETORIC AND PERCEPTION: A CASE STUDY OF THE PROPOSED NORTHMET MINE ON MINNESOTA’S IRON RANGE

Northern Minnesota is rich in natural resources, perhaps most uniquely the expansive mineral deposits of the Mesabi and Vermilion Ranges. The steel and taconite mining opportunities along these veins helped facilitate the rapid growth and infrastructure development of the area and is an important part of the identity of the region northwest of Duluth, aptly known as Iron Range. In addition to iron deposits, The Iron Range contains large deposits of copper and nickel. Recently proposed copper-nickel mining projects by PolyMet and Twin Metals have garnered a great deal of public controversy, especially around issues of economic revitalization of the region and potential pollution associated with this type of mining. This thesis considers public perceptions of the proposed NorthMet mine in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. By considering the strategies both pro-mining and environmental groups have used in an attempt to sway public opinion, analyzing public comments, and conducting interviews, this research addresses how considering the NorthMet controversy in terms of the concept of social license to operate helps to frame a conversation about public perceptions of PolyMet and the proposed mine itself. A term coined by the mining industry, social license to operate (SLO) refers to a society’s general acceptance of a corporation or project, based on considerations of legitimacy, credibility and trust. SLO is considered separately from regulatory acceptance. While a social license to operate is not strictly required for a mining project to succeed, failure to achieve SLO may affect the efficient progress of a project through resulting protests, blockades, litigation, and other methods. In the following research, I consider a breadth of data, including rhetorical strategies implemented by PolyMet, pro-mining groups, and environmental groups to sway public opinion about the project, a random sampling of public comments on the Final Environmental Impact Statement, and a handful of semi-structured interviews with individuals from the Arrowhead region of Minnesota. Presented as a case study, this thesis contributes to a growing body of academic literature about social license to operate and community perception of extractive industries

Minnesotans in Nature: Trends and Prospects

Prepared for a conference on The Future Environment of Minnesota: The Educational Task, sponsored by the Minnesota Academy of Science and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Onamia, Minnesota, May 12-14, 1974

Financing Professional Sports Facilities

This paper examines public financing of professional sports facilities with a focus on both early and recent developments in taxpayer subsidization of spectator sports. The paper explores both the magnitude and the sources of public funding for professional sports facilities.Stadiums, arenas, sports, subsidies

Financing Professional Sports Facilities

This paper examines public financing of professional sports facilities with a focus on both early and recent developments in taxpayer subsidization of spectator sports. The paper explores both the magnitude and the sources of public funding for professional sports facilities.Stadiums, arenas, sports, subsidies