Intern’s RIMS 2 analysis finds Community Partner grants generate measurable local economic activity

An economic impact analysis presented to the Laramie City Council on Nov. 25 estimated that the Community Partner Grant Program produces measurable economic benefits in Albany County, but authors said the findings are conservative and subject to important data limits.

Samuel Blisafer, an intern for the city, said he used the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ RIMS 2 regional input‑output model to estimate how the city’s Community Partner dollars ripple through the local economy. The study defined the region as Albany County and mapped grant recipients’ reported spending to RIMS 2 industry categories to produce four main outputs: value added, change in wages, jobs supported and total output.

Blisafer reported the study’s Type B (leveraged) results show roughly $800,000–$850,000 in value added for Albany County, about $1,000,000 in total output (the study’s contribution to county GDP) and an estimated 11 jobs supported. He said the Type A figure — the city’s dollar alone — produced a substantially higher return when considered from the city’s point of view because grantee dollars often pull in additional outside funding.

The analysis depended on survey responses and application income/expense tables from community partner agencies. Blisafer said he surveyed the FY2024 roster of about 31 community partners and that 28 agencies responded. He also noted several caveats: not all agencies provided usable data; the RIMS 2 model requires assumptions about regional industry structure and spending patterns; and the study assumed that reported grants and leveraged funds were spent within Albany County.

“Given those assumptions, I would say the Community Partner Grant Program is a positive investment for the city of Laramie,” Blisafer said in the presentation, while urging councilors to treat the results conservatively and as a partial picture of the program’s broader social benefits.

Councilors pressed on data coverage and limits. Councilor Lockhart asked how many agencies responded; Blisafer said 28 of about 31 listed for 2024. Councilor Frick and others sought confirmation that the study’s approach was intentionally conservative; Blisafer pointed to modeling choices (for example, not counting some regional feedback) that likely deflate measured impact. Councilor Shumway and other members emphasized that many program effects — for instance, enabling clinics to attract larger grants or helping people find jobs via library services — do not appear in RIMS 2 multipliers and therefore are not reflected in the numeric totals.

City Manager Janine Jordan thanked Blisafer, said staff bought RIMS 2 software for potential future use, and indicated staff will consider application and reporting changes for the next funding cycle so the city can gather more consistent data.

The council did not take formal action on the report at the Nov. 25 work session. Staff suggested possible next steps: revise application language to request participation in annual data collection and consider further analysis that distinguishes in‑county from out‑of‑county leveraged funds.

Sources: Presentation by intern Samuel Blisafer and City Manager Janine Jordan to the Laramie City Council, Nov. 25, 2025.