HEADWATERS ECONOMICS INC

Headwaters Economics staff delivered more than 60 public talks, briefings, and presentations to audiences that include elected officials, agencies, and community leaders - engaging over 3,500 people throughout the year. Eight newsletters were published in 2024 and Headwaters research and experts were featured in more than 1,000 media stories. In addition, Headwaters Economics produced original research, data visualizations, videos, and reports on topics related to its core mission.Providing Economic Insights for Stronger CommunitiesAs communities navigate shifting economic landscapes, having clear, data-driven insights is essential. In 2024, our work helped leaders understand key economic drivers, ensuring they have the tools to strengthen their local economies. Key projects included:Enhanced the Rural Capacity Map, an interactive tool that helps identify where staffing and expertise are needed to support infrastructure and risk-reduction projects.Updated and maintained the Economic Profile System (EPS), a free online tool that delivers customized economic and demographic reports for communities, counties, Tribal areas, states, and regions.Analyzed the impact of open space loss in Montana and its effects on local communities.Published a report on the importance of reversing rural disinvestment and designing economically profitable solutions for small towns.Strengthening the Outdoor Recreation Economy & Public LandsPublic lands, trails, and outdoor recreation are powerful economic engines that attract businesses, residents, and visitors. Our research and tools provide data-driven insights that help communities harness these opportunities. In 2024, we:Delivered localized economic analyses and recommendations for economic development and outdoor recreation projects in Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, and Oregon.Conducted groundbreaking research on trail use and its economic impact in western New Mexico, leveraging advanced statistical methods and novel data sources.Published a report on how outdoor recreation-dependent communities can prepare for hazards such as wildfires and floods.Updated two popular data visualizations that illustrate visitation trends and economic contributions of national parks and outdoor recreation at the state level.Hosted and updated three web-based tools with economic and demographic data used by federal agencies, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Forest Service, ensuring they remain accessible and relevant for land managers, planners, and communities.Reducing Risk and Increasing Community StabilityWildfires, floods, and other disasters are increasing in frequency and cost, putting communities at risk. Our work helps leaders identify vulnerabilities and implement effective risk reduction strategies. In 2024, we:Provided technical assistance to 21 communities in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming to support wildfire and flood risk reduction.Co-hosted a Tribal Emergency Manager Summit, bringing together leaders from a five-state region.Conducted independent evaluations of major federal hazard mitigation programs, including FEMAs Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants and the USDA Forest Services Community Wildfire Defense Grants (CWDG), assessing their effectiveness in reaching high-need communities.Released an analysis of mobile home park buyouts as a flood risk-reduction strategy, prioritizing community values and long-term stability.Published a report and peer-reviewed analysis on the importance of creating wildfire-resistant communities, encouraging a new paradigm for federal and state policymakers.Published a report and peer-reviewed study on the cost of retrofitting homes for wildfire resistance, providing critical insights for homeowners and policymakers.Provided expert testimony before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, informing federal wildfire mitigation policy.Produced Built for Wildfire, a video showcasing how Austin, Texas, mobilized stakeholders to address wildfire risks and protect their community.Maintained and expanded critical data tools, including:Wildfire Risk to Communities, a free web-based tool in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service that provides wildfire risk data for every U.S. community, county, and Tribal area and provides resources to reduce risk.Dashboards that assist communities in securing CWDG and Slip-On Tanker grant funding.Neighborhoods at Risk, a free web-based tool that helps communities identify areas with heightened risk to hazards.Data visualizations tracking wildfire structure losses and ignition causes to inform prevention efforts.