Research

My research applies economic theory and quantitative methods to questions in regional economics, rural innovation, public finance, and economic development. For a comprehensive list of my publications, see my CV.

Selected Research Papers by Topic

Rural Innovation & Entrepreneurship

“Measuring the Pulse of Entrepreneurship: Inside the Rural Entrepreneurship Index,” with Amanda Weinstein and Adam Dewbury. Center on Rural Innovation, 2026.

Economic Development (How communities adapt resources and policies for growth)

“Destruction to Beauty: The Polycentric Adaptive Reuse of the Torpedo Factory,” Chapter 4 in Social Coordination and Public Policy: Explorations in Theory and Practice, Rowman & Littlefield, 2023.
“The Economics of a Targeted Economic Development Subsidy,” with Matthew D. Mitchell, Michael D Farren, and Jeremy Horpedahl. Mercatus Center Special Study, 2019.

Economics of Discrimination (Persistent effects of historical exclusionary policies)

“Exploring the Persistent Effects of Racial Discrimination on Entrepreneurship and Growth,” Chapter 4 in Knowledge & Entrepreneurship in Public Policy, Rowman & Littlefield, 2023.
To learn more about my ongoing research in this area, please go here.

Zoning (Regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship and housing)

“Zoned for Opportunity: A Survey of Home-Based Business Regulations,” with M. Nolan Gray, Center for Growth and Opportunity Research Paper, 2020.
“California Zoning: Housing Construction and a New Ranking of Local Land Use Regulation,” with Salim B. Furth. Mercatus Center Research Paper, August 28, 2019.
“Making Room for Home-Based Businesses: A Survey of 12 Zoning Ordinances,” with M. Nolan Gray, 2017. For this research, Nolan and I received the 2017 Holzheimer Memorial Student Scholarship from the American Planning Association.

State Fiscal Policy (Evaluating fiscal health and crisis preparedness)

“Preparing State Finances for a Time of Crisis,” Chapter 4 in New Perspectives on State Government Fiscal Challenges, Lexington Books, 2023.
“Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2018 Edition,” with Eileen Norcross. Mercatus Center Research Paper, 2018.