Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2018
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Type
PhD
College
Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design
Department
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Committee Chair
Alan Collins
Committee Co-Chair
Heather Stephens
Committee Member
Heather Stephens
Committee Member
Michael Strager
Committee Member
Donald Lacombe
Committee Member
Stephan Goetz
Abstract
This dissertation examines the effects of federal government activities on local economies. Three research questions are addressed: How do federal environmental regulations influence local economic growth?, What regional factors influence the spatial distribution of federal conservation programs?, and How does location-based federal funding effect economic resilience within the targeted region? Regional economic analysis, spatial analysis, and spatial econometric techniques are implemented to answer these questions.
The first essay examines the effects of the air pollution standards on county level economic growth. The results illustrate, in the long run, the impacted regions have adapted to the changes in the pollution standards. To meet these abatement standards, regions are becoming less dependent upon the manufacturing industry and other polluting industries, and diversifying their industry portfolio.
The second essay identifies regional determinants of participation in federal conservation programs in West Virginia. These results indicate that Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is strategically targeting areas to promote efficient farm management techniques and to protect stream water quality. Access to information and nearby resources, such as an NRCS field office, also has a significant effect on conservation practice adoption.
The third essay evaluates the significance of Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) project investments on local economic resilience. Our analysis also evaluates characteristics to identify local or regional policy strategies to further promote resilience throughout the Appalachian region. ARC project investments are positively related to economic resilience and are most beneficial as a regional cooperative policy strategy approach.
Recommended Citation
Firth, Brianne Renee, "Regulatory and Financial Influence of Federal Government Activities on Local Economies: A Three Essay Approach" (2018). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 3705.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/3705
Comments
This dissertation examines the effects of federal government activities on local economies. Three research questions are addressed: How do federal environmental regulations influence local economic growth?, What regional factors influence the spatial distribution of federal conservation programs?, and How does location-based federal funding effect economic resilience within the targeted region? Regional economic analysis, spatial analysis, and spatial econometric techniques are implemented to answer these questions.
The first essay examines the effects of the air pollution standards on county level economic growth. The results illustrate, in the long run, the impacted regions have adapted to the changes in the pollution standards. To meet these abatement standards, regions are becoming less dependent upon the manufacturing industry and other polluting industries, and diversifying their industry portfolio.
The second essay identifies regional determinants of participation in federal conservation programs in West Virginia. These results indicate that Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is strategically targeting areas to promote efficient farm management techniques and to protect stream water quality. Access to information and nearby resources, such as an NRCS field office, also has a significant effect on conservation practice adoption.
The third essay evaluates the significance of Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) project investments on local economic resilience. Our analysis also evaluates characteristics to identify local or regional policy strategies to further promote resilience throughout the Appalachian region. ARC project investments are positively related to economic resilience and are most beneficial as a regional cooperative policy strategy approach.