Kent Gardner - CGR

Dr. Kent Gardner is the chief economist at the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) in Rochester New York and joins host Jeff Porter for an interview to talk about the role of CGR in supporting Economic Development Organizations. The also discuss informANALYTICS CGR's web-based tool makes that makes it possible for economic development specialists to analyze the impact of proposed projects quickly, consistently and accurately. George Eastman, the visionary leader who created Eastman Kodak, founded a bureau of municipal research in Rochester NY in 1915 “to get things done for the community” and to serve as an “independent, non-partisan agency for keeping citizens informed.” Over more than 9 decades CGR has grown from a bureau focused on the needs of one city into an organization with far broader reach. Today CGR works to bring clarity to issues that affect the quality of life in communities throughout the Northeast. The organization works with government, nonprofit and business leaders who drive public policy action and organizational change. They inform and empower leaders by providing fact-based, objective research and analysis and by making recommendations that are achievable. Dr. Gardner joined CGR in 1991 as Director of Economic Analysis and served as President from 2005 to 2012. While President he led the expansion of our geographic footprint to areas of the Midwest; directed the development of our special data and analysis tools (Govistics, informANALYTICS) and expanded our offerings to web-based community profiles. Supporting solutions for critical community challenges, the profiles offer provide credible and accessible access to key decision metrics (see ACTRochester and East Tennessee Index). A significant share of Dr. Gardner’s work addresses the fiscal and economic relationships among state and local government, nonprofits and private business. He is frequently called upon to explore the impact of a policy or institutional change on the economy. His analyses span individual institutions—e.g. an established university (see University of Rochester economic impact) or a proposed casino—and statewide and regional studies—e.g. the state minerals and construction sector, independent colleges and universities, or the nonprofit sector in a large region. His expertise also extends to cost control and management of government services, and consolidation planning for municipalities and school districts. For more information contact, Center for Governmental Research Inc.  --  www.cgr.org Â