Event information
Date and time
Location
Webinar
Contact
Sara Croymans, Extension educator, [email protected]
The economic impact of a rural house: The private benefit of public action
The housing shortage across rural Minnesota also creates a labor shortage, which results in the inability to recruit new residents.
While a house is typically viewed as a private asset, it is also a public good where labor, community leadership, and wealth is generated by residents. A house also provides a continuity from one generation to the next. So the question: “What is the economic return of just having a house in town?” is of interest. The Economic Impact Analysis team has studied the impact of this housing in Otter Tail County using examples for apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes – at varying income levels and tenures (including retirees) – to determine this annual (and lifetime) value. While the housing construction itself produces significant economic activity, it also continues every year thereafter.
Hear more about dynamics related to moving in, moving out, and moving over as it relates to active living and workforce housing.
This webinar is part of Extension's 2026 Healthy Aging Month Webinar Series.
Audience
This webinar is open to anyone.
Cost
Free
Registration
Registration is required.
Accommodations
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, reach out to the event contact two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Language
This offering is delivered in English. Interpreter services may be available with an advance request.
Presenters
- Aiden Opatz is a UMN Extension educator specializing in economic impact analysis and wealth transfer forecasting. He currently focuses on modeling the economic effects of housing development. Aiden holds an MS in Applied Economics from UMN and a BA in Economics from Luther College.