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Davis, Keri K.

Natural Resources

2006

MS

In order to make better decisions concerning sustainable economic development, we must adequately examine the impacts of current and future economic activities to our community's welfare. This study uses an ecological-economic model to apply disjointed knowledge in a variety of disciplines to identify economic renewal and environmental performance opportunities specifically related to Vermont's wood products industry. Various economic renewal strategies such as 'leak plugging', increased regional purchasing, and improved efficiency will be evaluated as possible development options. By integrating environmental costs into regional economic input-output analysis, current economic activities can be closely examined to identify opportunities for economic progress with minimal deterioration to natural and social capital. Using appropriately adapted environmental cost values obtained from existing literature, Vermont's wood products industry, and wood furniture sub-sector in specific, are analyzed to determine their full costs. Regionalized economic input-output (EIO) can be a powerful tool for decision-makers by providing a more complete picture of Vermont's wood products industry and influence policy that guides sustainable economic activity.