Guide to Useful Stats: EconData.Net

With more than 1,000 links to socio-economic data sources, EconData.Net provides a convenient and valuable starting point for gathering information to understand regional economies. Funded by the Economic Development Administration, EconData.Net is a 100 percent free website offering easy access to state and sub-state socio-economic data for practitioners, researchers, students and data users in general.

EconData.Net provides eight sections on its website to help locate data:

• Links By Subject - Over 750 links to data are grouped into 10 subject categories.
• Links By Provider - All links are grouped by the organization that provides the data.
• What’s New - This page provides details on changes to the website, changes in data series and new listings. For example, this month's issue highlights several sources for gauging the level of R&D activity in a state or region.
• Ten Best Sites - Lists the 10 best sites in regards to the amount of data and user-friendliness.
• Data Collections - Provides 150 websites that include multiple data series.
• Quick Links - A condensed page for those who know what data they are seeking.
• Registration - Register to receive StatScan, a free monthly email newsletter, that provides data news and changes to EconData.Net
• User’s Guide - A great "Complete Dummies" intro guide to finding and using economic data to better understand the character and composition of regional economies.

EconData.Net is maintained and operated by two independent economic development consulting firms Impresa, Inc. and Andrew Reamer & Associates. To learn more about this free comprehensive data website and to subscribe to StatScan, visit www.econdata.net