Behind the Data: PCRD Team’s Favorite Tools Powering Indiana’s Progress
The Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) maintains the mission of leading innovative and adaptive partnerships to find solutions for economic development. As an EDA University Center, we serve to accelerate regional development through innovative data analysis, collaboration and applied research.
To achieve these aims, our team needs data that is detailed, reliable, and actionable. We deliver that data to local leaders to reveal the insights they need to make positive changes in their communities. With over 73 years of combined experience, our data team has picked a handful of useful tools that help make these goals possible.
ArcGIS Pro: Mapping Indiana’s Story
Team members Ben and Bertin use ArcGIS Pro by Esri to take complicated spatial data and turn it into easy to use, interactable maps. This workhorse of a tool serves as an engine behind many of the maps, visualizations, and presentations that PCRD uses daily. Thanks to this tool, we can help communities see the bigger picture, literally! Want to see ArcGIS Pro in action? Check out the Digital Divide Index maps.
Tableau: Turning Data into Decisions
When ArcGIS Pro isn’t the right fit for the job, Andrey turns to Tableau. Tableau’s efficient analysis and visualization options make it a clear choice for understanding complex data. Add in the ability to create interactive dashboards, and that’s why we rely on it for Indiana’s County Data Snapshots.
Rural Indiana Stats: Data-Driven Development
Rural Indiana Stats (RIS) is a powerhouse of Indiana data, which is why Ben wanted to have a second pick for this list. Our team designed RIS to offer access of all core data for each of Indiana’s 92 counties. RIS is an excellent sidekick for any individual, leader, organization, and agency in Indiana looking to make decisions backed by data. Check out data on housing, agriculture and forestry, digital inclusion and more on Rural Indiana Stats.
IARC Data Dashboard: A Hub for Indiana’s Insights
Indraneel, our director, champions the IARC Data Dashboard as a must-use resource. The IARC Data Dashboard breaks Indiana down to the county level or its 16 respective IARC regions to supply everything from economic competitiveness and resilience, occupations and labor force, demographics, broadband speeds, supply chain gaps, and more. See it in action on the IARC Data Dashboard.
Why These Tools Matter
To uphold our mission and serve as an EDA University Center, data tools like these are critical for our team to help regions develop their plans. In each of the example links, we offer that data to anyone who might be interested in helping grow their community. While this list of tools is not all-encompassing, it certainly helps us support:
- Explore Skills’ Characteristics of U.S. Occupations
- Bridging the Digital Divide
- Economic and Business Development
- Workforce and Talent Development
- And much more!
Are you interested in working with us? Contact our office today to get started!
Ryan Maluchnik is the graphic designer for the Office of the Vice President for Engagement and the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD). He received... read more
