Survey of New Employees Hired by New and Existing Companies in Lawrence/Douglas County Between 1989 and 1990

Abstract

The Institute for Public Policy and Business Research at the University of Kansas conducted a survey of newly hired employees in Lawrence/Douglas County in December 1990 with a follow-up survey in February 1991. The main goal was to generate meaningful input variables for a cost-benefit model to be used in assessing property tax abatements. Within this framework, the survey focused on a few key questions:

(1) Proportion of new residents (in-migrants) associated with new local job opportunities generated by a new plant.

(2) Number of present and future school-aged children to be expected from new employees.

(3) Proportion of newly hired employees which are commuting to Douglas County for work and have an out-of-county residence.

(4) Household size of newly hired employees, in particular new residents.

(5) Occupational categories of new employees.

(6) Previous employment status (employed, unemployed, new labor force entrant, etc.)