Case Study: Michigan State University accelerates research facility funding and regional economic impact analysis with IMPLAN

How MSU Accelerated Their Research Facility Funding Using MRIO

Michigan State University (MSU) needed to demonstrate the ongoing economic impact of its new Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) to secure federal funding and justify state investments. Their challenge was to move beyond a broad, state-level analysis to track the granular, multi-regional distribution of economic benefits, including indirect and induced effects throughout Michigan. To do this, they turned to vendor IMPLAN for economic modeling.

Using IMPLAN's Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) analysis, MSU was able to precisely track how the FRIB's construction and operational expenditures flowed across 14 distinct regions within the state. The solution from IMPLAN provided a detailed view of inter-regional trade and economic feedback effects. The results confirmed the project's significant positive impact, showing that the state's $95 million investment would generate an estimated $205 million in state tax revenue over 32 years, while also creating jobs and attracting diverse industries to Michigan.

Michigan State University

Lou Anna K. Simon

President