What is CIM-PSU?
CIM-PSU is a fiscal impact model, based  on the economic and fiscal relationships in Pennsylvania counties. When combined with information about a change, it can predict how that change will affect your community. CIM-PSU’s analysis is at the county-level, and provides information on the following indicators:

• employment and unemployment

• income

• population

• government expenditures and revenues

• school district expenditures and revenues

CIM-PSU typically is used to look at several alternative "what if" scenarios, especially if there is uncertainty about the change. Still unsure what CIM-PSU is all about? Take a look at our online slideshow. 

How Is CIM-PSU Used?
CIM-PSU is an educational tool for a community facing change. In general, the model should be used as part of a community process that allows for the varied opinions in the community.

Availability
Analysis using CIM-PSU is available through local facilitators who work closely with Penn State faculty. CIM-PSU is available on a cost recovery basis through Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Penn State University.

How Has CIM-PSU Been Used?
Several documents are available more fully describing the capabilities and uses of CIM-PSU (to download PDF versions, just click the title):

Previous Studies:

• Residential Development in Perry County 1999

• Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Mushroom Production in Chester County 1999

• Plum Pox Virus in Adams County orchards. 2000.

• Coal Mine Closings in Indiana County. 2000.

• New Power Plant in Indiana County. 2000.

• Role of Agriculture in Lancaster County.  2000.

• Potential new business in Susquehanna County. 2000

• Role of the Allegheny National Forest in the Warren County Economy 2001

Related Materials:

Using CIM-PSU to Understand Impacts of Change on Your Community provides an overview of CIM-PSU. Details of model construction and implementation are provided, as well as a sample report for the economic and fiscal impacts of a hypothetical prison.

Costs & Revenues of Residential Development:
A Workbook for Local Officials and Citizens Residential development's impact on public services often is of major interest to local government and school district officials, and local residents. By bringing new residents into the community, residential development can affect the demand for public schools, road construction and maintenance, police, and other public services. Local officials need to understand and predict these impacts when planning for future service demands and budget needs and when discussing subdivision plans and proposals with developers. This website is intended to help local officials and citizens use a basic Per Capita Multiplier model to examine potential residential developments in their own community. 

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