Laborshed Studies are a “fee for service” program which uses a household survey to measure labor availability. The State of Iowa uses this tool to promote business expansion and recruitment which enhances the state’s economic vitality. This program uses GIS in mapping commuting patterns into employment centers. Community planners, leaders and businesses can use these maps to visually understand the current labor force in making business decisions. The maps and survey gives communities the ability to document and illustrate the characteristics of their labor force. This has proven to be an effective tool for retaining and expanding existing businesses while also attracting prospective new employers into the area.
Paula is the Project Manager for Iowa Workforce Development’s (IWD) Workforce Research Bureau. Her responsibilities include the design, analysis and presentation of community Laborshed Studies which utilize GIS to determine commuting patterns into employment centers within Iowa and bordering states. Laborsheds are used to determine labor availability statistics for an area based on those commuting patterns. In addition, Paula serves on the legislative and marketing committees for the Professional Developers of Iowa an organization whose purpose is to further the development of the economic base of the State of Iowa community developers . Prior to her current position, Paula spent 15 years managing businesses, determining market trends and training management professionals. She also assisted legislators and policy makers with research efforts through IWD’s Policy Office and Division of Labor. She has personally lobbied the Iowa Legislature and was able to encourage passage of legislation under two different governors. Paula lives on a farm outside Collins, Iowa with her husband Jens and two sons Joseph 7 and Nathan 19.