(Ph.D. Job Market Paper) Entrepreneurship and Economic Resilience After Violent Tornadoes
Revise and Resubmit, Economic Development Quarterly
Abstract: I investigate the impact of violent tornadoes on entrepreneurship activity in the U.S. on the ZIP code level. Combining data from National Weather Service (NWS) and the Startup Cartography Project (SCP), and employing an event study framework, I find that startup formation rate increases by around 20% immediately following a tornado, but gradually reverts within four years. However, there is no significant change in entrepreneurial quality during this period, although quality gradually increases in the long run. Further analysis reveals a strong correlation between U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan programs and startup formation.
The Unexpected Effects of Place-Based Remote-Work Incentives: Evidence from the Tulsa Remote Program
Revised and Resubmitted, The Annals of Regional Science
Abstract: Place-based remote-work incentives have emerged as a new tool for regional development, aiming to attract talent and stimulate local economies. Tulsa Remote is one of the nation’s largest and best-funded programs, offering a $10,000 grant to remote workers relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma. This study examines the spillover and sometimes unexpected patterns associated with the program’s introduction using county-level migration data and individual-level microdata. The analysis documents that the implementation of Tulsa Remote Program coincides with increased interstate in-migration, alongside reduced intrastate inflows and increased intrastate outflows. The program is associated with stronger migration responses among married, middle-aged individuals with moderate incomes originating from high-cost metropolitan areas. The findings highlight both the potential and the trade-offs of well-funded place-based policies in shaping migration dynamics.
Attracting Remote Workers: Overview of Programs in the US (With Cynthia Rogers)
Abstract: This study offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of workforce dynamics and economic development strategies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. We provide an overview of Remote Worker Attraction (RWA) Programs in the United States focusing on well-documented programs. We highlight program heterogeneity regarding important features, including geographic level of delivery, funding sources, eligibility criteria, value, and other features. Remote work employment removes geographic access to employment from an individual's residential location decision within and across communities. We discuss how the emergence of remote work opportunities impacts interjurisdictional competition in the context of the Tiebout Hypothesis and yardstick competition. Our conclusions contribute to a deeper understanding of the landscape of RWAs and their potential to influence regional development and economic growth.
Reshaping Entrepreneurship? Lessons from the Kansas Tax Experiment
Description: This project examines the impact of the 2012 Kansas Tax Experiment on entrepreneurship, using county-level data from the Startup Cartography Project (1988–2016). Leveraging modern difference-in-differences methods (Callaway & Sant’Anna, 2021), I compare Kansas counties to control regions across the Midwest and adjacent states to assess effects on startup formation rates (quantity), entrepreneurial quality, and a composite quality-adjusted quantity index. Preliminary results show an 18% decline in new business registrations by 2015, equivalent to 1,788 lost business registrations annually, revealing erosion of entrepreneurial vitality following the tax policy. The quality-adjusted quantity metric reveals a sharp and sustained decline, pointing to an erosion of entrepreneurial vitality.
Geographic Disparities in U.S. Broadband Access and Performance
Description: This project analyzes how market competition, infrastructure availability, and regional characteristics influence broadband service quality across the United States. Using FCC census block-level data with descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and geographic mapping, the project evaluates differences in provider availability and internet speeds at both local and national levels. Findings show that stronger local competition is associated with faster broadband speeds, while population density and infrastructure investment are major drivers of regional performance gaps. The study highlights how data-driven analysis can identify underserved markets and guide strategic investment decisions in digital infrastructure.
Energy Market Dynamics Under Extreme Weather Stress: Evidence from Texas
Description: This report examines how Winter Storm Uri disrupted electricity and natural gas markets across Texas and neighboring states during February 2021. Using panel data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and event-study analysis, the report evaluates electricity price and energy consumption dynamics across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The findings show that Winter Storm Uri generated substantial electricity price spikes, particularly in commercial and industrial markets, while electricity demand remained highly inelastic during the crisis. The analysis further suggests that the impacts of Uri extended beyond Texas and affected broader regional energy market dynamics across neighboring states.
Natural Gas Demand Intelligence: Weather Sensitivity, Regional Risk, and Market Implications
Description: This analysis examines the relationship between weather conditions, energy prices, and residential natural gas demand across the United States. Using state-level data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) covering 2014–2024, the study evaluates how temperature fluctuations and price signals influence household energy consumption. The findings highlight the importance of weather-driven demand forecasting, regional climate sensitivity, and market risk assessment, providing actionable insights for energy market participants, utilities, and strategic planners.
AI, Data Centers, and Energy Demand: Implications for U.S. Power Markets
Description: This market intelligence project examines the relationship between AI-driven data center growth and electricity demand across the United States. Using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. Census Bureau, and industry sources, the analysis explores regional data center concentration, electricity demand trends, power prices, and generation mixes across key markets. The project identifies factors associated with data center investment, evaluates Oklahoma's competitive position as an emerging growth market, and discusses the potential implications of AI infrastructure expansion for energy companies, investors, and policymakers.