Show U. U of U. U computer system assesses industry impacts Using a computer instead of or a crystal ball rural communities can now look Into the future Mure to assess the Impact of or new Industries Industries Industries In In- long before they open their doors for business Ul University of or Utah researchers researchers chers have developed a unique mathematical system called SAFE Small Area Forecasting and Evaluation to help city planners anticipate massive adjustments in housing employment employment em em- schools etc produced by the arrival of a anew anew anew new industry SAFE SAFI WAS devised by Professor ProCessor Frank C. C Hachman for the Utah State Stale Division of or Industrial Promotion which was concerned over the long- long term effects of or new industries and businesses It was helping to locate locale in non-metropolitan non areas of the Beehive State In large urban areas the addition of a new plant or expanded expanded expanded ex ex- economic activity usually only causes small ripples on the waters of commerce commerce com com- merce mcree explains the adjunct associate professor of economics and associate director of the U of U Bureau of Economic and Business Research sponsor of the project BUT IN rural areas and in smaller cities and towns a similar activity can cause a tidal wave which sweeps over the community and region leaving drastic changes for both good and ill in its wake he continues For example underestimating un un- underestimating the magnitude of ofa a development usually leads to inadequate facilities for housing schools etc as well as shortages leading to high prices inferior goods and services and associate reductions in quality of life explains Dr Bachman Hachman CON to overestimate overestimate overestimate over over- estimate the impact means the development of facilities that will not be used and a general expansion that often leads to serious losses if not bankruptcies he adds Professor Hachman Bachman says the industrial promotion division was also interested in SAFE asa as asa asa a means of providing prospective industries with important data about the communities to enable them to make sound economic decisions TO PROVIDE accurate inexpensive 5 10 year projections Ions the SAFE model employs several hundred mathematical expressions of or such data as existing trade relationships migratory habits major national and statewide economic trends housing characteristics and em em- While stressing that the SAFE model will not provide easy solutions Dr Hachman emphasizes emphasises it will enable community and industrial leaders to increase the chances for making rational decisions CURRENTLY Dr Hach- Hach mans man's tea team m is utilizing SAFE to measure the ram ramifications of the expected boom in energy- energy rich southeastern Utah Dr Hachman says SAFE can be utilized by most small communities in a short period of time and at a relatively low cost In fact he he has already received inquiries from several cities outside of Utah concerning concerning concerning con con- applicability of the model to their situations |