UMKC - The Bloch School

In today's society, market statistics drive decisions in nearly every industry, private or public. The main source for this information is compiled by the US Census, which undercounts minorities, homeless and special populations. The Economic Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics also undercount economic activity, especially in the informal or cash-only economy.

In the fall of 2006, the Cookingham Institute of Urban Affairs approached Social Compact to conduct a neighborhood drilldown market study. Social Compact, a long-time coalition of national business leaders, is a nonprofit dedicated to attracting investment, development and key services to inner-city neighborhoods.  Drawing on the collective expertise brought by their national partners, they pioneered a type of analysis that uses multiple data points in determining the population and various demographic and economic characteristics missed by other sources like the Census.

As a University Consortium, the Cookingham Institute and the Center for Economic Information are working with local data providers in city governments and Social Compact to bring this needed study to our region. Whether you own a retail real estate firm or operate a school district, accurate statistics are important to the operation of your organization. Help us bring this important and exciting study to Kansas City!

Click Here to Visit Social Compact's Website