Graded Homework

Review “Forecasting Case Study: Urban Planning” for this topic’s case study, in which you will serve as an urban planner forecasting economic growth and decline for a specific industry in your city.

Students must access the “County Business Patterns” webpage (https://www.census.gov/econ/cbp/index.html) for this assignment. Students will use this U.S. Census Industry data portal to access data for a zip code with which you are familiar. This can be the zip code of your personal residence, location of employer (corporate, regional, or local office), undergraduate educational institution, hometown, etc.

In addition to the forecasting model and data, prepare a 500-750-word report to your city manager. Explain your approach and the rationale for why this is the best model. Evaluate the data and conclude your report with a recommendation about either expanding the industry in your area or allocating resources elsewhere.

Use an Excel spreadsheet file for the calculations and explanations. Cells should contain the formulas (i.e., if a formula was used to calculate the entry in that cell). Students are highly encouraged to use the “Forecasting Template” Excel resource to complete this assignment.

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