This appendix includes a detailed desription and data source information for this asset class.
Class Definitions
Metrics
Data Sources
Links to Data
Return to Assets
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Physical Infrastructure Asset Description
A region’s physical infrastructure is an important condition for supporting regional innovation. Transportation and communications infrastructures in the U.S. are relatively developed, but without the telecommunications networks, roads, and other public utilities in place, regions have little chance of supporting and growing innovative industries. The availability of high-speed Internet access, for example, is a key asset for attracting most modern companies and entrepreneurs. For rural areas, having this link has become a critical factor in their ability to attract workers who wish to telecommute. Transportation factors, such as the average commute time, can also figure prominently in a region’s capacity to attract and retain companies and talent. For some industries, natural resources, particularly access to water, can play a primary role in impacting expansion decisions.
Physical Infrastructure Metrics
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Transportation Infrastructure
The most widely cited source for commuting data is the Texas Transportation Institute’s (TTI) annual Urban Mobility Study (http://mobility.tamu.edu/ucr/). The report compares commute times for most metro areas in the nation.
Communications Infrastructure
The Progressive Policy Institute maintains an index of states’ achievements in a variety of “new economy” areas. Online population, for example, is a basic measure for assessing the quality of a region’s communications network as well as the connectivity of its residents. Showing a single state’s adoption rate alongside the highest and lowest ranking states, as well as the national average, allows users to see the data in context. The data can be found at www.neweconomyindex.org. Telecommunications providers that offer services in the region may also have useful data, such as user trends, costs, and expansion plans.
Survey questions:
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The overall quality of the region’s transportation (e.g., roads, air transport, railroads and ports)
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The quality of the region’s communications infrastructure (e.g., telephone, wireless, high-speed Internet access)
Links to Data: View suggested Financial Capital public sources in the table below.
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| Highways |
TTI’s Annual Urban Mobility Study |
http://mobility.tamu.edu/ums
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| Highways |
Arbitron’s Average Travel Time to Work Comparison |
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| Telecommunications |
Information Technology & Innovation Foundation |
http://www.itif.org
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| Telecommunications |
Specific regional telecom providers |
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| Airports |
Federal Aviation Administration |
http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/
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| Maritime |
Regional and State Government |
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| Maritime |
Port authorities |
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| Rail and Trucking |
Regional and state government |
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| Rail and Trucking |
Rail and trucking companies |
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| Residential Housing |
Local realtors |
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| Residential Housing |
Online services |
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The following data sources and evaluation criteria are all related to connective organizations.
Airports
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| Names and locations of regional airports |
Current passenger and cargo traffic and projections |
| Number of carriers |
Growth plans |
| Number of flights |
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| Destination cities |
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| Cargo handling capacity |
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Highways
| Names and major highways |
Average commute times |
| Miles of interstate roads |
Driving distance to other major metro areas |
| Number of interstate interchanges |
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Rail and Trucking
| List of regional and interstate passenger service |
Frequency of service and destination cities |
| List of regional and interstate cargo service |
Performance records. (e.g. on time history) |
| Location of intermodal facilities |
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| Names and contact information for interstate trucking firms with operations in region |
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Maritime
| Names of port facilities and contact information for officers |
Tonnage handled at port on annual basis |
| Names of shipping lines using facility |
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| Nature of cargo handled |
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Communications
| Names and contact information for telecommunications providers in region |
Availability of high-speed Internet access |
| Names and contact information for telecommunications providers in region |
Capacity of networks |
| Names and contact information for telecommunications providers in region |
Plans for expansion |
Natural Resources
| Available water supply and infrastructure for delivery |
Quantification of relevant resources |
| Available resources to support business clusters and infrastructure for delivery |
Quantification of relevant resources |
Land and Real Property
| Available land for building |
Average purchase price/square foot |
| Available buildings for occupancy |
Average rental cost/square foot |
| Projects online |
Vacancy rates |
| Available single family and multi-family dwellings for purchase or rental |
Vacancy rates/number of dwellings on market and average number of days on market |
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Range of, and average, housing costs |
Industrial/Business Parks
| Names, locations, and contact information for management |
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| Special features |
Average purchase price/square foot |
| Special features |
Average rental cost/square foot |
| Special features |
Vacancy rates |
Mass media channels, such as television, radio, and newspaper
| List of mass media channels and contact information |
Circulation figures/Nielsen ratings/Arbitron ratings |
| List of mass media channels and contact information |
Programming/reporting that supports development efforts |
| List of mass media channels and contact information |
Involvement in regional initiatives |