DecisionTree: A Framework for Location-Based Business Sitting Decision in Rural America

Small businesses are the bedrock of the American economy. To bring economic development to rural America, these regions must have more effective tools for attracting and retaining the businesses that will provide the jobs and investment these communities need to thrive. The proposal seeks to apply an existing technology, Geographic Information Systems, on a proven platform, DecisionTree, in an innovative manner to support business siting decisions by both prospective businesses and rural economic development agencies. The project will study the feasibility of applying cell-based geoprocessing techniques that have been proven in high density urban areas to the lower density and broader geographic coverage of rural areas to promote more effective business siting decisions. The anticipated Phase 1 outcome is a set of geospatial calculation algorithms to support web-based software marketed to rural governments and economic development agencies. The software will be a location-based, business siting decision support tool that will be customizable to the needs of rural communities. It will provide advanced analysis tools not ordinarily available to these entities for rural economic development planning. If successful, the follow-up Phase 2 proposal will extend these results by developing the data sets, infrastructure, and other components necessary to bring the product to market.