2021 E-Insights Report

Analysis of Driver Results

The analysis shows that investments in transit infrastructure and higher education drive the economic growth. Policy initiatives focused on increasing investments in these key drivers hold the key to improve the competitive position of the Tampa Bay region.

USF researchers present the results of analysis below. Keeping everything else constant, the impact of the driver on the outcome variable is shown.

Unemployment Rate

  • An increase in transit availability by 1 revenue mile per capita would result in a 0.6 percent decrease in the unemployment rate.
  • An increase in STEM degree production per 1,000 individuals by 1 would result in a 1.3 percent decrease in the unemployment rate.
  • A 1 percent increase in the business establishment start rate would result in a 0.6 percent decrease in the unemployment rate.

GRP Per Capita

  • An increase in transit availability by 1 revenue mile per capita would result in $840 increase in GRP per capita.
  • An increase in STEM degree production per 1,000 individuals by 1 would result in a $1,089 increase in GRP per capita.
  • A $1,000 increase in median household income would result in a $178 increase in GRP per capita.

Poverty Rate

  • An increase in transit availability by 1 revenue mile per capita would result in a 1.2 percent decrease in poverty rate.
  • An increase in labor force participation rate by 1 percent would result in a 1.4 percent decrease in the poverty rate.

Income Inequality (Gini Index)

  • An increase in educational attainment (bachelor’s degree or higher) by 1 percent would result in a decrease in income inequality (Gini index) by 0.0001.
  • A 1 percent increase in labor force participation rate would result in a 0.004 decrease in income inequality (Gini index).

Economic Mobility

  • An increase in transit availability by 5 revenue miles per capita would result in the increase in absolute economic mobility by 1 percentile.