Road construction is more than an inconvenience. It's a complex, expensive, and often stressful process that strains local businesses, disrupts community life, and leaves residents and leaders searching for answers. When communities facing construction began asking hard questions, University of Minnesota Extension educators turned to mobile analytics to find better answers.
This webinar explores how those community questions led to new engagement approaches and original research using mobile data to better understand what businesses and communities experience during road construction. Featuring case studies from Hackensack and St. Cloud, DeeDee LeMier and Aiden Opatz share what the data reveals and what it means for communities with construction on the horizon.
On-demand webinar
Recorded: June 6, 2026
Shared resources
- Potential impacts of a road closure in Saint Cloud
- The decoupling of home and work
- The Age of Mobility
- Finding the hidden millions in Minnesota’s small towns
Presenters
DeeDee LeMier is an Extension educator specializing in community economics, agritourism, and sustainable tourism development in rural areas. DeeDee leverages mobile data and cross-sector partnerships to develop resources and workshops that serve the unique needs of highly-seasonal tourism economies. Her work not only contributes to the economic vitality of small communities but also strengthens the bonds among residents and celebrates the distinctive local culture.
DeeDee holds a master of business administration degree and a bachelor of arts degree in communication studies from Hamline University.
Aiden Opatz is a regional educator in community economics, covering Southeastern Minnesota. He specializes in economic impact analysis and forecasting the generational transfer of wealth. He is currently exploring how to model the economic impact of constructing and habitating homes.
Aiden received a master’s degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota and holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Luther College.
Reviewed in 2026