Regional Economic Development: An Economic Base Study and Shift-Share Analysis of Hays County, Texas
Date
2007-12
Authors
Quintero, James
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First is to analyze the economy of Hays County, Texas using the economic base study to determine the structure and composition of the local market. Using the location quotient technique as an indirect method of employment analysis, this research examines leading export industry sub-sectors to determine which industries "drive" the local economy by generating outside income for the community. The second is to analyze Hays County's economy using shift-share analysis to compare regional growth against national development. The shift-share technique presents a supplemental aggregate data analysis method to strengthen the conclusions of the economic base study. The research findings conclude that Hays County is a rapidly growing region primarily dependent upon the retail, health care and social assistance, and manufacturing sectors to advance and maintain its economic development. As compared to the U.S. economy, the manufacturing sector is expanding locally while concurrently declining in the national marketplace. Given that the local manufacturing sub-sector is an integral component of employment propagation via export employment, the national decline of this industry in Hays County is significant.
Description
An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Fall 2007.
Keywords
regional, economic development, economic base, shift and share, county, Hays County, Texas, Public Administration
Citation
Quintero, J. (2007). Regional economic development: An economic base study and shift-share analysis of Hays County, Texas. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX.