Dear friends, alums, and partners,
The UMD Labovitz School’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER), is known for digging into the numbers—so here are some that showcase what we’ve accomplished this past year.
During the 2024-25 academic year, we completed 12 research projects, partnered with 32 organizations, submitted nine grant proposals, and published 28 blog posts. We delivered 17 presentations, were featured in over 30 news stories. Two of our students presented at national conferences, and one took first place in a statewide paper competition. (Stories below let you know more.)
These numbers reflect the breadth of our work and the impact we're able to have with a small but dedicated team. If you appreciate the value of this work, I hope you’ll consider supporting it. Your gifts help us offer hands-on research opportunities to students and provide high-quality analysis to communities and organizations across the region and beyond.
Don’t forget to follow us on LinkedIn.
Warmly,
Monica Haynes
Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Congratulations to Our Graduating Seniors!
Please join us in celebrating Ethan Ion and Sophia Nevills (pictured, below), two of our talented undergraduate research assistants (UGRA) who graduated this month. Both have made meaningful contributions to our research team, and we’re so proud of their accomplishments.
Sophie contributed to several projects over the past year, including a study on age-friendly workplace practices. She will be completing her MBA next year through the Labovitz Schol of Business and Economics’ 4+1 program.
"Working at the BBER has helped me connect what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world applications. I’ve gained so much confidence in both my technical and creative skills," she said.
Ethan played a key role in several of our recent economic impact studies, including our analysis of the Superior Refinery and of Minnesota Power’s Hibbard Renewable Energy Center. Ethan is exploring career opportunities that blend his passion for agriculture and energy with the analytical experience he’s gained at the BBER.
"Being part of the BBER gave me the chance to work on projects that matter to our community—and to grow as a researcher and communicator," he said.
We can’t wait to see what comes next for Sophie and Ethan.
Student Presentations and Research in Action
In April, our students had the opportunity to present their work at national and university-level events.
National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR): Our UGRAs Ethan and Sophie both presented research they conducted with the BBER to undergraduate students from around the U.S. at NCUR, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ethan presented his research on the Superior Refinery economic impact analysis and Sophie presented her work on age-friendly workplaces.
- UMD Showcase: BBER UGRA Sam Shaw (pictured, above) presented his research to faculty, staff, and students at UMD’s annual event on how climate risk influences migration patterns among U.S. counties.
New Research and Recent Projects
This spring has been packed for us with exciting work across a range of industries and topics. Check out the recent studies we published:
- Airport Study: Our economic impact analysis of the Duluth International Airport (DLH) found that DLH supports over 4,000 full-time jobs and contributes nearly $1.4 billion in total economic output annually to the state of Minnesota.
- Gasoline Price Analysis: In partnership with Dr. Neil A. Wilmot, LSBE associate professor of economics, we examined the potential impacts of a clean transportation standard on Minnesota gas prices, focusing on lessons from other states. Our results will inform the Minnesota legislature as it considers clean transportation legislation.
- UMD Program Analysis: Our team recently completed an analysis of how well UMD’s academic programs align with regional healthcare needs. We reviewed UMD’s healthcare-related programs, identified related occupations, and provided recommendations to support healthcare workforce development in northeastern Minnesota.
- Hibbard Renewable Energy Center: Our analysis of Minnesota Power’s Hibbard Renewable Energy Center assessed the facility’s economic impact. The findings helped inform Minnesota Power’s 2024 Integrated Resource Plan that was filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission earlier this year.
- Cenovus Superior Refinery: We just wrapped up an economic impact analysis of the Superior Refinery’s demolition, reconstruction, and return to operations following its 2018 explosion and fire. The study also explored how per diem spending by temporary workers affected local retail, hospitality, and accommodation sectors.
BBER Awarded MnDOT Research Grant
We’re excited to announce that the BBER is part of a University of Minnesota team that was awarded a 2025 MnDOT Research & Innovation grant! The grant will support research exploring the economic and social impacts of freeway corridor design. We’ll share more details after the project kicks off this summer.
Spotlight on Our Partners
We’re fortunate to work with outstanding collaborators. Our recent Spotlight Series blog posts highlight two key partners:
- Brigid Tuck, Senior Economic Impact Analyst with University of Minnesota Extension. We are currently working with Brigid on developing an economic impact calculator for community festivals and events!
- Jess McCullough, Public Policy Advisor at Minnesota Power, supported our recent economic impact analysis of the Hibbard Renewable Energy Center.
From Our Friends at Extension
As many of you know, we frequently partner with UMN Extension to advance community-engaged research in Northeast Minnesota. Check out Extension’s community news and insights page to read about recent work on empowering rural communities, creating equitable access to tourism, and leadership training.