I. INTRODUCTION

The City of Tallahassee and Leon County have recommended the extension of the one-cent sales tax, which is expected to expire by the year 2004. Both local governments have identified a list of projects that would be funded by sales tax receipts should its extension be approved. The projects are intended to address some of the pressing as well as the future needs of residents in terms of road expansions, improving stormwater systems, enhancement of parks, establishment of bikeways, trailways, and greenways, improving sports complexes, and a variety of projects that will enhance the quality of life of residents. The list of City and County projects is found in Table 1.

In conjunction with the City and County plans, the Economic and Environmental Consensus Committee (EECC), a group organized by the Chamber of Commerce has also assessed the needs of the community, taking a more holistic and forward-thinking approach. It has also identified a list of projects, identified in this study as Blueprint 2000 projects. The selection of the projects are based on the community dire needs, either in terms of environmental security or those producing the most economic impact. Although the EECC has identified several projects in its report entitled Blueprint 2000 and Beyond, the City and County staff has recommended nine major BP2000 projects. (See Table 1)

The City's total project cost is $54.2 million and the County's projects total $54.4 million in current dollars. With the Blueprint 2000 projects costing $432 million, the total cost of all the projects amounts to $540.6 million. This amount is slightly below the one-cent sales tax receipts, projected to be $543.8 million in 15 years (Table 2). Because of this budgetary constraint, the projects in Table 1 have been determined to have the highest ranking that meets the community's dire needs. In order to prioritize the projects for sales tax funding, the City and County have set some selection criteria. The City's criteria on project selection were based on the following: a) how close the projects are linked with City Commission approved goals and objectives; b) projects that were already highly ranked by another government agency were given higher priority; c) how the project addressed service level needs/deficencies; and d) overall project costs. The list of City projects is based on identified community needs and is primarily based on long-range master plans and assessment studies such as the Long Range Transportation Plan, Transportation Master Plan, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and Southern and Central Core strategies.

Leon County developed a numerical scoring system of 1-3 to rank and select the projects. A score of 1 was assigned to projects that directly enhance Blueprint 2000 projects; a score of 2 was assigned to projects linked or related to the Blueprint 2000 projects; and a score of 3 was assigned to those projects which were considered unrelated to the BP 2000 projects. The County recommended projects that received the highest BP 2000 scores.

Although other funding sources are also considered by the City of Tallahassee and Leon County to fund other projects that are not covered by sales tax receipts, this study focuses only on projects that are to be funded by the one-cent sales tax.

Objectives

The objective of the economic study is to estimate and evaluate the net economic impacts of the proposed City, County and Blueprint 2000 projects, which are to be funded by the extension of the one-cent sales tax.

The study also provides a socio-economic profile of the Tallahassee-Leon County economy since this is relevant in determining where the direction of the local economy is going.

*** Ten percent of the expected one-cent sales tax proceeds in 15 years.

Source: The list of projects was provided by the City and County staff based on the July 10, 2000 joint workshop agenda item for the City Commission's meeting and the Board of County Commissioners. Refer to the July 10 joint workshop agenda item which revises the BP 2000 projects, and includes the City's and County's updated project lists.

NOTE: The Gaines Street reconstruction project will be jointly funded from sales tax dollars allocated for City and County government priority projects and Blueprint 2000 projects, from funds received or projected to be received from the legislature, and from other community partners.

Take note that Leon County's total project cost in its "wish list" amounts to $76.5 million. However, the study only focuses on the economic impacts of the 10 percent of its projected share from sales tax receipts.

Source: City of Tallahassee, Florida Department of Revenue.

II. TALLAHASSEE-LEON COUNTY'S SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE

Population

The population for the Tallahassee-Leon County area in 1999 was estimated at 238,327¹. Based on the latest projection by the Florida Legislature's Economic and Demographic Research, population will increase to 288,198 in year 2010, up by 49,871 people, or an annual average increase of 1.9 percent. The area's population is made up of 73.3 percent whites; 26.7 percent nonwhites. Nonwhites comprise blacks (24.56%), Asian-Americans, and Native Americans. In terms of sex, there are more females (122,987) than males (114,650) in the Tallahassee-Leon County area. Female population outnumbers the male population by 8,337, thus having a female-to-male ratio of 13:12. In 1999, Tallahassee-Leon County area ranked 18th in population among all the other counties in Florida. Its population growth rate for the 1998-1999 period, is ranked 35th statewide.

Labor Force and Unemployment Rate

As shown in Table 3, the latest labor market report shows that the Tallahassee-Leon County economy had an unemployment rate of 2.5 percent in May 2000². The Tallahassee-Leon County area's unemployment rate was relatively low compared to other counties in Florida and ranked 7th in the state. In comparison with the state unemployment rate, the local economy outperformed Florida in May 2000. Florida's unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, 1.3 percentage points higher than the Tallahassee-Leon County area's unemployment rate of 2.5 percent.

Driven by the vibrant U.S. economy, Florida has one of the strongest labor markets in the nation. Among the most populous states in the nation, Florida is ranked number one in terms of the percentage growth rate in jobs and second behind California in the most number of jobs created in May 2000³. In particular, the low unemployment rate in the Tallahassee-Leon County is attributed to two major employers: the state government and local governments. These two governments provide stability to the local economy. Thus, even in times of economic slowdown, Tallahassee-Leon County's economy is not going to be drastically affected as compared to other counties in Florida. Figure 1 shows a graphical presentation of the economic structure of the Tallahassee-Leon County economy.

Employment

In Table 4, the Tallahassee-Leon County's total employment grew from 132,919 jobs in 1997 to 136,184 jobs in 1998, an increase of 3,265 new jobs, or 2.5 percent increase. With Tallahassee, as the state capital of Florida, the economic structure of Tallahassee-Leon County is quite unique compared to other counties in the state. In most counties and even statewide, the services industry constitutes the largest industry and employs the greatest number of workers. But the Tallahassee-Leon County economy (Figure 1) shows that 39 percent of its total employment is in government followed by services (27 percent) and trade (20 percent).

In terms of over-the-year change, services industry added the most number of jobs (+1,808 jobs, +5.3 percent) in 1998. However, finance, insurance and real estate increased the fastest at 9.0 percent while manufacturing declined the fastest by 11.4 percent in the 1997-1998 period.

Although government is the largest major industry in Tallahassee-Leon County, surprisingly it added only 715 jobs over the year and increased at the rate of 1.4 percent. This low increase in government was due particularly to the restructuring and reorganization of state government. But government, being the largest major industry, contributes to the stability of the Tallahassee-Leon County economy. The government is less responsive to volatility in state as well as national economy. In other words, an economic downturn does not necessarily translate into increased retrenchment of employees by government.

Income and Wages

Tallahassee-Leon County's gross personal income amounted to $5.03 billion in 1997, with a per capita income of $23,303⁴. It was ranked 17th among the 67 counties in Florida and was lower than the state average per capita income of $24,799. (Note: Per capita incomes in Leon County tend to be unrealistically low, owing to the presence of over 50,000 college students in the area. Family income, on the other hand, is estimated to be $51,600 (Federal HUD Data) in the Tallahassee area in 2000, with Leon County having the 6th highest median family income in Florida (1990 Census data).) Personal income consists of wages, dividends, interest income, rent, and transfer payments. However, the average wage in Tallahassee-Leon County increased from $25,599 in 1997 to $27,237 in 1998, an increase of $1,638, or 6.4 percent⁵. Florida's average wage in 1998 was $28,189, $952 more than the Tallahassee-Leon County's average wage. This could be due to low concentration of manufacturing jobs, which usually offer high-wage jobs, in the Tallahassee-Leon County economy. In fact, manufacturing constitutes only 2 percent of total employment in the Tallahassee-Leon County area, driving down the average wage. This can also be attributed to the high level of low-paying retail sales and service jobs that are filled by the many college students in the area.

Industry and Occupational Employment Outlook 1997- 2007

It is important to know the economic outlook of the Tallahassee-Leon County economy in terms of the labor market. Table 5 provides industry projections for the Tallahassee- Leon County area for 1997 2007⁶. Services, as major industry is projected to have the greatest number of new jobs (+14,199) and the fastest growth rate (+39.0 percent) among all major industry categories during the period 1997-2007. Within services industry, most new jobs created will be in business services (+3,403 jobs, +49.93 percent), followed by health services (+3,065 jobs, +29.93 percent); and engineering and management services (+2,234 jobs, +61.16 percent). These three industries account for 61.3 percent of the total increase in services. Government came in second in the number of new jobs to be created for the 1997-2007 forecast horizon. It is expected to add 9,009 jobs, an increase of 17.28 percent over the ten-year period.

In terms of the outlook of specific industry, Appendix 1 shows that state government will gain the most number of jobs (+5,720 jobs) followed by business services (+3,403 jobs), health services (+3,065 jobs), and local government adding 2,948 jobs. Appendix 2 ranks the fastest growing industries in the study area. Engineering and management services will have the fastest growth rate at 61.16 percent over the 1997-2007 forecast horizon; followed by business services (+49.9 percent); amusement and recreation services (+46.3 percent); and auto repair services and parking (+43.6 percent).

In terms of occupations gaining the most jobs, general office clerk will gain the highest (+1,105 jobs) followed by retail salesperson (+1,048 jobs); cashier (+903 jobs); general manager and top executive (+815 jobs); and secretary (+801 jobs) (see Appendix 3). Appendix 4 shows the fastest growing occupations in the Tallahassee-Leon County area. Among the top five, two are computer-related occupations: computer engineer is projected to grow by 111.8 percent and computer support specialist (+48.3 percent). The rest in the top five occupations are dental assistant (+60.2 percent); home health aide (+57.2 percent); and telemarketer, door-to-door sales person (+49.3 percent).

Appendix 5 presents occupations that are declining in the Tallahassee-Leon County economy with farmers, directory assistance operator, central office operator, and farm worker leading the list.

III. METHODOLOGY

Description of IMPLAN MODEL

This project uses IMPLAN, an economic software package, to determine and assess the economic impacts of the proposed City, County and Blueprint 2000 projects. IMPLAN is an economic impact assessment modeling system that allows the user to build an economic model for the Tallahassee-Leon County economy. The model is then used to estimate the impacts of economic changes within the study area. It is a means of examining relationships within an economy both between businesses and between businesses and final consumers. It captures monetary market transactions for consumption in a given time period and allows the analyst to examine the effects of a change in one or several economic activities on an entire economy. Model developed under IMPLAN can estimate the direct, indirect, and induced economic effects.

The proposed County, City and BP 2000 projects, which are to be funded by the extension of the current sales tax, constitute additional infusion of new money in the economy. The phasing of project implementation as well as cost allocation is done over the duration of the sales tax, which in this case is assumed to be 15 years. A detailed project phasing and cost allocation is shown in Appendix 6. Basically, the concept contends that implementation of projects would result in additional expenditures within Tallahassee-Leon County and will result in increased economic activities. Specific types of activities, specifically construction will increase, resulting in increased demand for construction-related materials and labor. This action will affect businesses engaged in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of construction-related materials. A certain portion of the cost will be allotted to compensate laborers for their services, who in turn will spend their income within the local economy. Expenditures by workers working in these projects would result in additional demand for consumer related goods and services. These expenditures will have trickle down effects on various industries, causing their economic activities to expand. Increased expenditures will result in additional income for businesses and workers, increased sales and other types of indirect taxes. The economic effects resulting from additional expenditures and increased economic activities will go through several rounds, which will further expand the local economy.

It is the aim of this study to estimate and analyze the projected economic effects of the implementation of the proposed projects within the City of Tallahassee as well as Leon County.

Economic Variables

There are six important economic variables that the study intends to measure:

Output - represents the change in total sales (the value of goods and services) produced by industries affected by the change in economic activity.

Employment is the number of jobs for each industry created or lost as a result of the change in economic activity.

Personal income is the sum of employee compensation and proprietor's income.

Employment Compensation is the total payroll cost including wages, salaries, and benefits paid by employers to workers.

Proprietary Income consists of payments received by self-employed individuals as income.

Other Property Type Income consists of payments for rents, royalties, and dividends.

Indirect Businesses Taxes consist of excise taxes, property taxes, fees, licenses, and sales taxes paid by businesses. These taxes occur during the normal operation of businesses but do not include taxes on profit or income.

Economic impacts are classified into three major categories:

Direct effects are the economic changes to industries directly affected by changes in final demand.

Indirect Effects are the changes in inter-industry purchases as they respond to the new demands of the directly affected industries.

Induced effects reflect changes in spending from households as income increases or decreases due to the changes in production.

Assumptions In order to achieve the objectives of this study, the study assumes the following:

The duration of sales tax extension is 15 years.

The entire City, County and Blueprint 2000 projects included in this study are to be funded by sales tax collections.

Funding allocation from sales tax is as follows: 10 percent for City Projects; 10 percent for County projects; and 80 percent to fund the selected Blueprint 2000 projects.

Project ranking, prioritization, and cost phasing or allocation are based on recommendations made by the City and the County as shown in Appendix 6.

All values are expressed in present values, i.e. 2000 dollars.

Projected sales tax collections are based on estimates by the Florida Department of Revenues as shown in Table 2.

The model assumes constant returns to scale which means that the production functions are considered linear, i.e. if additional output is required, all inputs increase proportionately.

The model also assumes no supply constraints, which simply means supplies are unlimited.

The model also assumes that a fixed commodity input structure exists, which simply means that a price change does not cause a firm to buy substitutes. Thus, changes in the economy will affect the industry's output but not the material and services that are required to produce the product.

Homogeneity sector input is also assumed in the model. This means that a proportion of all commodities produced by that industry remain constant, regardless of total output. An industry will not increase the output of one product without proportionately increasing the output of all its other products.

The model also assumes that an industry uses the same technology to produce all its products. Thus, an industry has a primary or main product and all other products are byproducts of the primary product.

IV.ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Overview of the Economic Analysis Approach

The economic study considers two scenarios: a) the current sales tax will be extended, and (b) the sales tax will not be extended. The first scenario assumes that all the proposed projects of the County, City, and Blueprint 2000 will be funded by sales tax collections. Since revenues from sales tax would be generated within the span of 15 years, implementation of the projects would be phased according to the priorities set by the City and County and the order in which projects are permitted. This is appropriate since not all of the projects can be implemented at the same time. Also, the duration of construction of some projects takes less time than other projects. Appendix 6 shows the cost allocation per project and the phasing of project implementation categorized according to project type. Hence, economic impacts of the proposed projects in terms of increased output, employment, personal income, other indirect property income, and indirect business taxes would also be distributed over time. It is important to note that the analysis does not take into account the impacts of operating and maintenance costs since no estimates were provided. Since all of the projects affect the construction industry, the economic impacts are temporary in nature. They all peak when construction of these projects is undertaken but will decline when the project is completed. In reality, some of the economic impacts will continue thereafter, as the projects become operational. This is due to the operating and maintenance cost that will have to be expended in order to keep the new roads and facilities operational. However, this segment of the analysis is not included in this study since no estimates of operating and maintenance costs have been provided.

The second scenario assumes that if the sales tax is not extended, the projects listed in Table 1 and Appendix 6 will not be implemented. However, non-extension of the sales tax increases the purchasing capability of the consumers as more money becomes available to them for additional consumption. The study assumes that with increased spending money, the consumers will spend part of it on some other forms of goods and services within the Tallahassee-Leon County area. The IMPLAN model provides a historical spending pattern by consumers within the local economy. As a result of increased consumption and expenditures by consumers, certain industries in the area will also be affected resulting in increased economic activities.

The approach that the study has taken is to determine the net economic impacts between the two scenarios, i.e. with sales tax extension versus with no sales tax extension. Also, the study takes a conservative approach since it only takes into account the economic impacts within the Tallahassee-Leon County economy. It is likely that increased economic impacts will also occur emanating from surrounding counties such as Wakulla, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Madison Counties. There is also a high probability that economic impacts will occur resulting from residents of Thomasville, Georgia visiting Tallahassee. The Tallahassee-Leon County area being a major commercial area will attract consumers and visitors from the aforementioned counties. However, the study does not take into account potential economic impacts coming from these counties.

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

Below is the summary of net gains (losses) under the two scenarios, i.e. with sales tax and without sales tax extension. The impacts are the sum of direct, indirect, and induced impacts. A more detailed breakdown of the net impacts is presented in Table 6.

** Personal income the sum of employee compensation and proprietary income.

As shown above as well as in Table 6, the extension of sales tax is estimated to generate $841.2 million additional output while the no-sales tax extension scenario will produce $479.7 million of output. Thus, the net economic output defined as the change in total sales (total dollar value of goods and services) produced by the affected industry due to an economic activity, is $361.5 million over the period 2005-2019. This net economic output includes direct, indirect and induced effects, which have been defined earlier in Section III. This means that implementation of the projects funded by the sales tax extension exceeds output under the no-tax extension scenario. Conversely, if the projects are not implemented due to the non-extension of sales tax, the Tallahassee-Leon County economy will potentially incur an opportunity cost or foregone income of approximately $361.5 million. This simply means that even if the sales is tax is not extended, increasing the purchasing capacity of the residents will still generate additional output but not as much as extending the sales tax to fund the proposed projects. Appendix 7 provides detailed annual impacts on output. Figure 2 shows a graphic comparison of impacts on output of the two scenarios. Figure 3 shows the net gain in output over time.

*** Personal Income is the sum of employee compensation and Proprietor's Income.

With sales extension, the proposed projects are expected to generate 9,220 jobs while only 7,266 jobs will be created if the proposed sales tax extension fails. Hence, employment, expressed in terms of the average number of jobs created, is estimated to experience a net gain of 1,954 jobs resulting from the implementation of proposed projects. Take note that the net gain in employment includes both part-time and full-time employees. Also, it is important to note that the surge in employment occurs when the construction of projects are being undertaken and will die out as soon as the project is done. A more detailed analysis of annual impacts on employment is shown in Appendix 7. Figure 4 presents the flow of employment over the course of project implementation under the two scenarios. Figure 5 shows the annual net gain in employment if the sales tax is extended. The increase in employment under the with-sales tax scenario surpasses the increase in jobs if sales tax extension fails.

Personal income, the sum of employee compensation and proprietor's income, is higher with sales tax extension than if sales tax is not extended by $106.4 million. This amount is broken down into $81.9 million of employee compensation and $24.5 million of proprietary income.

Conversely, it can also be said that without the projects, the Tallahassee-Leon County economy may incur an estimated opportunity cost or foregone income of $106.4 million, which it could potentially gain if the sales tax is extended. Figure 6 presents a graphic comparative analysis of the impacts on personal income between the two scenarios. It is obvious that the personal income to be generated if the sales tax is extended is greater than the no-sales tax extension scenario. A more detailed yearly net impact on personal income is presented in Appendix 7. Figure 7 clearly shows a net gain in personal income resulting from extension of sales tax.

However, other property type income generated under the with-sales tax scenario amounting to $59.4 million is $37.9 million less than the $97.3 million created if sales tax extension fails. This particular income consists of payments for rents received on property, royalties from contracts, and dividends paid by corporations. Spending on government projects would not generate as much other property type income than consumers spending on other types of goods and services. This makes sense because increased expenditures by consumers because of more spending money affect those industries that received income from rents, and royalties. With higher corporate profits, affected firms can give out more dividends as income. This simply means that sales tax extension will still generate other property type income but not as much as the no-sales tax extension scenario.

Indirect Business Taxes consists of excise taxes, property taxes, fees, licenses, and sales taxes paid by businesses but does not include income or profit taxes. With sales tax extension, $19.5 million of indirect business taxes will be generated. This amount is $14.2 million less than the $33.7 million of indirect business taxes created under the without sales tax scenario. This implies that the Tallahassee-Leon County economy could potentially incur an opportunity cost or foregone income of $14.2 million of indirect business taxes. Expenditures on government projects result in less indirect business taxes than when households spend their money on consumer items. This also means that sales tax extension generates Indirect Business Taxes but not as much as the no-sales tax scenario. Although opportunity costs may accrue in terms of Other Property Type Income and Indirect.

Business Taxes if the proposed projects are implemented, such net losses can easily be offset by the tremendous net gains in output, employment, and personal income which includes employee compensation and proprietor's income.

Appendix 8 presents a summary of direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of County, City, and Blueprint 2000 projects. This shows that the Tallahassee-Leon County economy will generate additional output of $841.2 million; employment (+9,220 jobs); personal income (+$286.7 million); other property income (+$59.4 million); and indirect business taxes (+$19.5 million) if the sales tax is extended. However, these economic impacts have to be tempered by the estimated impacts of non-extension of sales tax scenario. Appendix 9 presents detailed economic impacts per project categorized according to type. Appendix 10 summarizes the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts if the proposed sales tax extension fails. Appendix 7 shows the net annual economic impacts between with-sales tax and without-sales tax scenarios.

The charts in the study illustrate a comparative analysis of economic impacts between County, City, and Blueprint 2000 projects. Chart 1 shows a graphical presentation of economic impacts on output. Chart 2 presents a graphical presentation of increased employment. Chart 3 shows impacts on personal income. Chart 4 illustrates impacts on employee compensation. Chart 5 shows impacts on proprietors' income. Chart 6 presents impacts on other property type income and Chart 7 show impacts on indirect business taxes between County, City, and Blueprint 2000 projects.

V. Effects of Road Expansion and Enhancement

With the rate of population growth in the Tallahassee-Leon County area, road projects proposed by the County, City and EECC are essential to meeting current as well as the future demands of residents. The road projects are intended to ease traffic congestion and improve travel time. In order to determine the estimated travel time of the proposed road projects, an evaluation of the peak hour travel time must be measured before and after the improvements and road expansion has been done. Also, a determination of other roads indirectly impacted by the improvement must also be made. As this point in time, it is quite premature to predict the time savings of these proposed road construction projects.

Although this study has not done a travel time study to evaluate the effects of proposed road projects, the researchers have assessed some specific road construction projects where data is available on the average peak hour travel time before and after the projects were completed. This will provide policy makers and readers a better perspective of the impacts of the road projects being proposed. Appendix 11 presents some statistics about the effects road enhancement projects before and after improvements were completed.

A case in point is the Capital Circle, NE project. Prior to adding more lanes in Centerville Road to 1-10 highway section, the average travel speed in the 1.85-mile road was 19.89 miles per hour in 1993. In 1995, more lanes were added, expanding the capacity from 775 to 2,600. As a result of this improvement, the average travel speed increased to 30 miles per hour, resulting in a decreased travel time of 1.88 minutes or 34 percent travel time savings.

Another example is the Thomasville road project, which modified the 1-10 to Woodbine Way section. The increase in the number of lanes impacted the Metro-Killearn road, which has a length of 1.19 miles. Prior to road improvement, the average capacity was 1,773 and the average travel speed was 10.88 hours per mile in 1996. In 1997, the capacity was expanded to 2,148, increasing the travel speed to 15.04 miles per hour. As a result of this, the average travel time decreased by 1.82 minutes, 28 percent time savings.

Prior to increasing the number of lanes of Tharpe Street, which affected Monroe Street to Monticello Drive highway section, the average peak hour travel speed was measured at approximately 17.67 miles per hour in this 2.1589 miles stretch. After completion of the road expansion in 1999, capacity increased from 1,034 to 1,615, an increase of 56 percent. This resulted in increased travel speed to 21 miles per hour. Therefore, the average travel time decreased from approximately 7 minutes and 20 seconds to 6 minutes and 10 seconds, a net decrease of 1.10 minutes.

Above are just some examples of how road expansion projects can reduce travel time and ease traffic congestion. The same can be said about the proposed road construction projects. Implementation of the road construction projects will benefit residents of the Tallahassee-Leon County area, enhancing further overall quality of life.

VI. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

Implementing the proposed County, City and Blueprint 2000 projects to be funded by the extension of local sales tax will provide tremendous net economic benefits to the Tallahassee- Leon County economy.

Aside from the net economic impacts in terms of net additional output, increased employment (jobs), and personal income, the Tallahassee-Leon County economy will further enhance the quality of life of its residents. Traffic congestion, which has plagued the City of Tallahassee, will ease and residents will save on travel time. The demand for more efficient and effective storm water systems and higher water quality will also be met. Extension of sales tax would help fund major storm water systems and water quality projects that the Tallahassee-Leon County area needs. Recreational facilities, trail ways, and bikeways that add to the overall enhancement of the residents' quality of life will also be realized with the extension of sales tax.

Although failure to extend the sales tax will still stimulate spending and economic activities within the local economy because of increased spending, the net benefits would not be as high compared to the with sales tax extension scenario.

Based on the findings, this study concludes that extending the one-cent sales tax to fund the recommended City, County, and Blueprint 2000 projects will generate tremendous net economic benefits in terms of increased output, employment and personal income, and will further enhance the quality of life of the residents of the City of Tallahassee and the Leon County.

Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Office of Labor Market Statistics, ES202 Program, 2000.

Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Office of Labor Market Statistics, Florida Industry and Occupational Employment Projections, 1997-2007.

Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc. February 1997. IMPLAN Professional User's, Analysis and Data Guide. Stillwater, MN:MIG.

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, May 2000.

U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, May 2000.

Florida Consensus Estimating Conference. May 2000.

State of Florida Legislature, Office of Economic and Demographic Research, May 2000.

City of Tallahassee, City Commission Agenda Item, May 4, 2000.

Leon County, Board of Commissioners Workshop Item, May 9, 2000.

The Economic and Environmental Consensus Committee. Project Definition Report Blueprint 2000 and Beyond.

Florida Department of Revenue. 2000. World Wide Web site. Tax Revenue Data.

Version 1.1.6013 of IMPLAN Professional was used for this analysis. IMPLAN (Impact Analysis for Planning ) was originally developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management to assist the Forest Service in land and resource management planning. The software has been upgraded and is presently sold and maintained by the Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc.

Meetings and discussions with the City of Tallahassee staff Dinah Hart and John Davis, David Davis (Florida TaxWatch), Dr. Thomas Lynch, and Vince Long of the Leon County.

Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida, Florida Estimates of Population 1999, 2000.

Appalachee Regional Planning Council, June 2000.

1. Office of Economic and Demographic Research, 2000.

2. Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Office of Labor Market Statistics, LAUS Program, 2000.

3. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Office of Labor Market Statistics, 2000.

4. U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2000.

5. Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Office of Labor Market Statistics, ES202 Program, 2000.

6. Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security, Office of Labor Market Statistics, Florida Industry and Occupational Employment Projections 1997-2007.