Immigrant influence on Teton County's economy will be studied by the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES).
The request came from the Teton County Board of County Commissioners and
Town of Jackson to the UW CES, said Mary Martin, UW CES educator in
Jackson.
The research will study the economic impact of foreign workers in Teton
County, said Martin. "The outcomes are a better understanding of how
immigrant spending impacts the community, and as a workforce how it
contributes, how and where spending occurs, the impact on local
businesses, and the associated benefits and costs to government," she
said.
Leland Christensen of Alta, who has been a commissioner for three years
and who is also vice-chair, said the survey will provide a snapshot of
the community. "We will use it for planning and perspective," he said.
"It plays into planning, to see where the dollars are going and where
the needs are."
He said Jackson over the past 15 years has seen an increase in the
number of non-resident work force. Immigrants are coming from Central
and South America, New Zealand, Europe and Canada.
"There are costs and benefits associated with it," he said. "We are
trying to get a clear understanding of what those are. I think that will
help play into the long-term planning in Teton County."
A Jackson town councilor also said Jackson and the county see value in
knowing the community more thoroughly to better plan for social services
and infrastructure needs. "I also think it will help our community
members value one another's contributions and to all get involved in the
community and live together," said Councilor Melissa Turley.
Household information may be gleaned this tax season through volunteers who help foreign-born
workers file taxes, said Martin.
"Our hope is to start the next couple weeks asking businesses to fill
out a survey from their 2007 records," said Martin. "We plan to acquire
additional household surveys on those workers who will be in the county
in August."
Households will be asked about occupation, months worked, household size
and spending patterns, said David 'Tex' Taylor, a professor in the
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the UW College of
Agriculture. Businesses will be asked about number of employees,
payroll, benefits provided and costs.
The business survey will be mailed to businesses in Teton County, said Taylor, a community
development specialist.
