Below is a compiled list of resources that can be helpful when performing a general market assessment or summary.
In these resources use broad search terms and break your searches up by industry or market. For example, try searching timber industry or snow recreation rather than a long question like what are the current market opportunities for recreation?
If you have questions or would like to meet with a librarian for an in-depth consultation on these resources, please contact library@mtu.edu.
Broad Resources
- IBISWorld This link opens in a new windowIndustry research reports on numerous US industries that offer key statistics and analysis on market characteristics, operating conditions, current and forecast performance, major industry participants, and more.Try starting with the following reports (type these titles into IBISWorld):
- National Parks & Other Nature Institutions in the US;
- Timber Services in the US;
- Forest Support Services in the US;
- Carbon Dioxide Production in the US
- Statista This link opens in a new windowStatistics, industry reports, company dossiers, forecasts, and surveys are all available on a range of topics. Excellent source to see what people are spending on different activities (e.g., camping) and the growth of different markets. Some data can be narrowed to a state or region level, but much of it is by country.
- One Business (ProQuest) This link opens in a new windowCombines multiple business databases providing access to company, industry, and country overviews and reports. Start with key word searches and then use the "Advanced Search" to narrow by: industry report, news or trade publications (use this to compare to other real-world examples) and more.
- Social Explorer This link opens in a new windowDemographic data visualization; sort by data source and drill down to the county or township level in many cases. Use this to better understand the individuals and activities occurring in the market area.
- Bloomberg TerminalNote: The Bloomberg Terminal can only be accessed on a single computer, located on the library’s second floor next to the 3D printers. The Terminal provides in-depth coverage, including proprietary research and analytics on financial markets, industries, commodities (e.g. timber), and publicly traded companies. This is a dense resource; it's helpful to watch a few youtube tutorials on how to navigate it prior to visiting! For example, Bloomberg Terminal Essentials: Commodities.
- Harvard Business ReviewUse this catalog link to obtain Michigan Tech's login info for access to full free text (note: some articles are free without this!) HBR contains several excellent articles about the state of relevant markets. For example: What Every Leader Needs to Know about Carbon Credits
(all the above provide different types of information; you may not need them all. If you're not sure, work through them in this order for a broad picture!)
Michigan & Great Lakes Specific Resources
- Sustainable Land Use and Economic DevleopmentFrom the MI Dept of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. Links to a wide range of information and real-world case studies. Start with the sub-section on Resource Protection.
- MSU Extension: Planning ResearchLinks out to many resources intended for local decision makers who are making zoning and planning decisions. Scroll down for links to various reports; several directly address questions of natural resource and land use.
- USDA Forest Service: Land Management PlanningSee real-world land management plans for national forests across the country. Jump to the Eastern Region to explore local forests such as Ottawa National Forest and Hiawatha National Forest. The plan documents detail recreational uses and similar.
- Great Lakes Impact Investment PlatformSee project proposals that have been funded (or are seeking funding) that improve land use around the Great Lakes. There aren't many details on each individual proposal, but this can give you some ideas for what types of projects are being successfully pursued already. Many funded projects also have in-depth websites you can seek out as well.
Example Project: Big Trout Bay and the Project's resulting website with details, Big Trout Bay.
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