U of I’s Economic Impact Center helps local businesses demonstrate their value to stakeholders – KTVB

Report on the University of Idaho’s Economic Impact Center and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The University of Idaho’s Economic Impact Center, under the direction of Clinical Associate Professor Steve Peterson, serves as a critical nexus for academia and the local community, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By translating complex data into actionable insights, the center empowers local entities while providing students with invaluable experiential learning. Having completed over 300 projects in approximately five years, its work demonstrates a significant commitment to sustainable local development.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Center’s initiatives are intrinsically linked to the global agenda for sustainable development. Key contributions are noted across several goals:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Analysis of Contributions to Specific SDGs

SDG 8: Fostering Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Center’s core function is to analyze and report on economic activity, providing foundational support for sustainable economic growth. This is achieved through:

1. Economic Impact Analysis: Assessing the ripple effects of sectors such as manufacturing and cultural events (e.g., concerts) to inform strategic investment and policy.
2. Support for Local Enterprise: Providing businesses and non-profits with data-driven insights to facilitate planning, resilience, and growth.
3. Workforce Development: Equipping students with practical economic analysis skills, preparing them for decent work and professional careers.

SDG 11: Building Sustainable Cities and Communities

A primary focus of the Center’s research is on creating inclusive and sustainable communities. Its work on housing affordability directly addresses Target 11.1, which aims to ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing.

• The Center provides essential data that enables local governments and organizations to develop informed strategies for housing challenges.
• This research supports evidence-based planning for more resilient and equitable community development.

SDG 4 & SDG 17: Quality Education and Strategic Partnerships

The operational model of the Economic Impact Center exemplifies the principles of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Educational Enhancement (SDG 4): The Center functions as a practical learning laboratory, offering students hands-on experience that complements their academic studies and enhances their educational outcomes.
• Collaborative Framework (SDG 17): It represents a successful partnership between an academic institution, the private sector (local businesses), and civil society (non-profits), demonstrating how collaboration can effectively drive progress on sustainable development objectives.

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The article highlights issues and initiatives that connect to several Sustainable Development Goals. The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article emphasizes the role of the University of Idaho’s Economic Impact Center in providing students with practical, hands-on experience, which is a core component of quality education that prepares them for the workforce.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The center’s mission to provide “valuable information for planning and growth” to local businesses directly supports local economic development. Its analysis of the “economic ripple effect of concerts and manufacturing” is a clear example of work aimed at fostering economic growth.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – By studying “housing affordability,” the center addresses a critical component of creating sustainable and inclusive communities, which is a central theme of SDG 11.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The entire initiative is a partnership between a university and “local businesses and nonprofits.” This collaboration model, which turns academic data into actionable insights for community partners, exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17.

2. Specific SDG Targets

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under the identified SDGs can be identified:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
     
     Explanation: The article states that through the center, “students are gaining hands-on experience,” which directly contributes to building relevant skills for future employment in fields like economics and data analysis.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises.
     
     Explanation: The center provides “local businesses and nonprofits with valuable information for planning and growth,” directly supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in the community.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly mentions that the center’s work includes analyzing “housing affordability,” a key issue for ensuring access to adequate housing.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
     
     Explanation: The Economic Impact Center is a functioning example of such a partnership, connecting a university (a public/academic institution) with “local businesses and nonprofits” (private and civil society sectors) to achieve common goals.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

The article does not mention official SDG indicators with specific data points, but it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator for Target 4.4: The number of students participating in the Economic Impact Center and gaining hands-on experience. The article confirms that students are involved, implying this is a measurable outcome.
• Indicator for Target 8.3: The number of projects completed for local partners. The article states the center has “now completed over 300 projects,” which serves as a direct indicator of its support for local businesses and nonprofits.
• Indicator for Target 11.1: The production and availability of data and analysis on local housing affordability. The article’s mention of this as a focus area implies that the center is generating reports and insights that can be used to track this issue.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The number of active partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits. The existence of the center and its 300 completed projects implies a significant number of partnerships have been formed.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ktvb.com