Welcome to the UT Urban Affairs Center

UAC Conducts Regional Survey of CPAs

UAC has partnered with the Ohio Society of CPAs (who in turn partnered with the Michigan Association of CPAs, the Indiana CPA Society, and the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs) to conduct a regional survey of their members. According to Accounting Today, "CPAs are more optimistic about business growth predictions for 2012 in their respective states than the nation as a whole, according to a new survey of CPAs in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania."

The purpose of the survey was to demonstrate CPAs as business thought leaders and to measure their experiences and observations in the current economy. The survey addresses the issues that CPAs can comment on because of their direct experience as either a sole practitioner or partner in a public accounting firm offering business advisory services, or as CEO or CFO of a company.

UAC's Survey Research Services conducted the survey using questions supplied by the participating CPA organizations, analyzed the results, and wrote the executive summary. The survey results were noted in the following publications:

“A State of Inequity in Ohio”

Funding and Service Disparities between Municipalities and Townships in Montgomery County, Ohio

The Greater Dayton Mayors and Managers Association asked UAC to examine the issue of service and tax equity in Montgomery County. How is it that Montgomery County townships are able to provide services without taxing the incomes of their residents? The study considered the following questions:

This study was discussed on Saturday, December 10, 2011 by the Dayton Daily News.

»» Click here to read the entire study.

For comparison, UAC completed a similar analysis of the fiscal impact of public service delivery practices in Lucas County in 2002. UAC is currently updating this study with new data.

UAC Director Appointed NARSC Executive Director

UAC Director Dr. Neil Reid has been appointed as the next Executive Director of the North American Regional Science Council (NARSC). NARSC is an interdisciplinary organization whose mission is focused on promoting the scholarly exchange of ideas and knowledge that applies to understanding the functioning of urban and regional economies in North America and across the globe. The Council organizes an annual international conference that provides a forum for interaction and discussion. Dr. Reid learned of his appointment at the annual NARSC meeting that was held in Miami, Florida last month. He will assume his responsibilities on January 1, 2013. During the upcoming twelve months he will shadow the outgoing Executive Director, Professor Jean-Claude Thill of the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

UAC Staff Update

UAC is pleased to welcome back Pam Crabtree as our Administrative Assistant. Pam held this position at UAC for many years before her retirement from UT, and now she returns in a part-time capacity. Pam's contact information can be found here.

Local, Fresh Food Club On Campus Thrives During Test Run

UAC's work with Riehm Farms to continue a local fresh food club was highlighted by UT News in their October 28, 2011 issue. Accordng to UAC Research Associate Jeanette Eckert, UT and Riehm Farms hope the number of campus participants will double in the coming year and reach a goal of 250 overall in the northwest Ohio region. Read the complete article here.

Fresh Local Produce Available Through Community Supported Agriculture

Local Food Strategies on Facebook

UAC's event, Local Food: Strategies for Jobs and Health, is continuing on Facebook: click here to join the discussion.

For anyone who lives near UT, here's a way to get fresh, locally-grown, chemical-free produce for your family this summer, conveniently available for pick-up at the Clean & Alternative Energy Incubator (2600 Dorr Street, see map). Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is an alternative distribution system linking local farmers to families who purchase, in advance, a weekly share of the season's harvest. Riehm Farms, a family farm located near Tiffin, Ohio, uses organic growing practices. Their produce is available at the farm, at some area farmers markets and, through their CSA, at the University of Toledo.

Click here for more information about the Riehm Farms CSA.

UAC Staff Member Coordinates Local Food Day

UAC Research Associate Jeanette Eckert is the local coordinator for Food Day in Toledo on October 24, 2011. She was quoted in the Toledo Blade in the October 23, 2011 Food section. Click here to read more.

A Web Site for Local Foods: maumeevalleyfood.org

MaumeeValleyFood.org UAC is pleased to offer a web site dedicated to providing information about Northwest Ohio local food vendors: maumeevalleyfood.org. This information is compiled by the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., the local administrators of the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Local farm stands and farm markets are listed, along with addresses, operating hours, phone numbers, and links to location maps. There is also a version for mobile devices.

Highlights of Northwest Ohio Food & Farm Economy

Click here to review the highlights of a data compilation of the local farm and food economy of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan, compiled by Ken Meter.

Ohio's Food Systems — Farms At the Heart of It All

UAC commissioned a study of Ohio's food system by Ken Meter of Crossroads Resource Center, a non-profit organization that works with communities and their allies to foster democracy and local self-determination. From the study's Options for Action:

This study has found that the prevailing food system in Ohio has failed to build health, wealth, connection and capacity in Ohio communities to the extent that Ohioans deserve. Indeed, the food system often frustrates these purposes.

In response, residents are actively building community-based networks that include clusters of food businesses, with supportive social connections, popular organizations, and policy inititives, that strive toward a better future for Ohio.

» Click here to read the study's full report «
» Click here to read the study's Executive Summary «

[This study was funded by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.]

Additional US Census 2010 Links Released

The 2010 US Census has released more data. Use the links below.

The above links are also on UAC's online data sources page; check there for regular updates.

UAC Hosts IGU Commission Website

IGU UGI The UAC is proud to host the website for the International Geographical Union's Commission on "The Dynamic of Economic Spaces". This commission is dedicated to advancing international research and scholarship in economic geography.

Dr. Neil Reid, UAC Director, is currently the Chair of this Commission, and among his duties recently hosted a conference in Toledo that focused on Local Food Systems in Old Industrial Regions.

 

UAC's Survey Research Services

The UAC works with clients to develop and conduct surveys to facilitate analysis and policy-making. Click here for more information.

Quick Links

The Urban Affairs Center is an applied research unit of The University of Toledo within The University of Toledo Research Enterprise and a member of the Ohio Urban University Program. Our mission is to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life of Toledo and its metropolitan region. We strive to make this site useful and accessible to the our community, and we welcome your comments.

Our web site is hosted by the UT Center for Creative Instruction.