Economic Impact Statement
What an Economic Impact Statement Is and When It Applies
Why an Economic Impact Statement Matters for Reviews and Decisions
An Economic Impact Statement clarifies anticipated fiscal effects, supports transparent decision-making, and provides evidence for permitting or funding determinations. It helps stakeholders understand projected costs and benefits, highlights distributional impacts, and documents assumptions for later review or challenge.
Typical Users and Stakeholders
Government agencies, local planning departments, developers, economists, and legal counsel commonly prepare or request Economic Impact Statements before approvals.
- Local governments assessing zoning or incentive requests and budget impacts.
- Developers and project managers evaluating feasibility, financing, and pro forma assumptions.
- Economic consultants and policy analysts preparing methodologies, multipliers, and sensitivity analyses.
Community stakeholders, impact analysts, and funding bodies also rely on the statement to evaluate trade-offs and fiscal exposure.
Step-by-Step: How to Prepare an Economic Impact Statement
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01Gather Data: Collect baseline economic, demographic, fiscal, and market data from authoritative sources.
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02Define Scope: Specify study area, time horizon, and types of impacts to include.
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03Choose Methods: Select modeling approach — input-output, econometric, or benefit-cost analysis.
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04Draft Findings: Present direct, indirect, and induced effects with clear assumptions and limitations.
Primary Risks and Potential Consequences
Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid
- Overstating job numbers by using peak construction roles without annualizing leads to inflated employment impacts and misleads stakeholders.
- Omitting source dates or using outdated tax rates undermines revenue estimates and complicates audit or peer review by regulators.
- Failing to disclose multipliers, leakages, or displaced activity can materially change net fiscal outcomes and invite challenges.
- Using proprietary or opaque models without sensitivity analysis reduces credibility; provide clear assumptions and scenario ranges for transparency.
Where to File or Submit the Statement
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Agency Portal: Upload via regulatory agency online submission system
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Planning Commission: Submit as part of public hearing packets
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Permit Application: Attach statement to permit or license forms
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Public Record: Provide copy for public access or record
How to Configure an Online Workflow
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Email link or SMS one-time passcode |
| Fields | Required fields with conditional logic and validation |
| Notifications | Set routing, escalation, and reminder schedules |
| Audit Trail | Record signer actions, timestamps, and IPs |
Delivery Methods, File Formats, and Integrations
Choose distribution and signing methods that meet agency authentication requirements and public record expectations carefully.
- Formats: PDF, DOCX, or HTML accepted
- Integrations: Salesforce, Microsoft 365, NetSuite, Box, Google Workspace
- Authentication: Email, SMS, or stronger methods
Typical Timelines, Deadlines, and Review Expectations
Agency Filing:
Follow agency-specific submission deadlines and portal cutoffs
Public Notice:
Allow time for required public comment periods
Review Cycle:
Expect 30 to 90 calendar days for review cycles
Hearing Dates:
Schedule may be set weeks to months after filing
Final Determination:
Agency decisions commonly issued within statutory or regulatory timeframes
eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo — annual billing; month-to-month higher | $15/user/mo — annual billing; verify vendor pricing online | $14/user/mo — annual billing; verify vendor pricing online | $19/user/mo — annual billing; verify vendor pricing online | $15/user/mo — annual billing; verify vendor pricing online |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial, no credit card | Check vendor website for current trial details | Check vendor website for current trial details | Check vendor website for current trial details | Check vendor website for current trial details |
| Bulk Send | Yes — available on Business Premium and higher | Yes — available on select plans | Yes — available on select plans | Yes — available on higher tiers | No — bulk send not available |
| Audit Trail | Yes — full audit trail with timestamps and IPs | Yes — full audit trail with timestamps and IPs | Yes — full audit trail with timestamps and IPs | Yes — full audit trail with timestamps and IPs | Yes — full audit trail with timestamps and IPs |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes — HIPAA BAA available upon request | Yes — HIPAA BAA available upon request | Yes — HIPAA BAA available upon request | No — BAA not available | No — BAA not available |
Practical Best Practices for Accuracy and Defensibility
Illustrative Examples from Practice
Martin Properties
Martin Properties reduced in-person signings during development approvals by moving document exchange online consistently for permits.
- This cut turnaround times and improved record availability.
- Tim Martin reports that processing permit-related forms online preserved audit trails, allowed remote stakeholder review, and reduced scheduling delays. Maintaining clear version control and signatory records enabled faster municipal review and reduced follow-up requests during public hearings.
BIS
A mid-size developer used an Economic Impact Statement to support a zoning variance and community outreach.
- Stakeholders received clear fiscal summaries.
- Dan Rotelli notes that structured economic summaries clarified tax and employment projections for neighborhood meetings, reduced repetitive data requests, and supported more focused negotiations with city planners. Providing assumptions and sensitivity analyses avoided common misunderstandings.
Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting
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Can this be signed electronically?
Yes in most cases: the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96, 2000) and UETA permit electronic signatures when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention are met. Certain exceptions exist (wills, court orders, some family law and real property filings).
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What information should it include?
Include a clear project description, geographic boundaries, baseline economic data, assumptions, analytical methods, and quantified direct, indirect, and induced impacts. Provide sources and dates for all inputs and explain uncertainty or sensitivity analyses used to test assumptions.
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Who is the authorized signer?
The authorized signatory is typically the project sponsor, an authorized official of the applicant entity, or a licensed consultant certifying methodology. Include printed name, title, organization, and signature date; if electronic, record authentication and attribution as required by ESIGN/UETA.
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Are notarization or witnesses required?
Notarization and witness requirements depend on jurisdiction and document purpose. Many Economic Impact Statements are not notarized, but attachments (affidavits, sworn statements) may require a notary. Check state rules or agency instructions for any notarization or witness mandates.
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How should revisions be documented?
Document revisions with version numbers, revision dates, and a brief summary of changes. Retain prior versions and a change log to show when assumptions or data inputs changed. Clear versioning supports auditability and reduces disputes over methodological shifts.
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Can errors be corrected after submission?
Minor data errors may be corrected by filing an amended statement or submitting a correction letter to the receiving agency. Major methodological changes should be reissued with clear notice. Follow agency procedures and maintain records of the correction and notification steps.