Projects
Research Productivity of the University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute
July, 2021
Hector H. Sandoval, Emanuel Garcia-Munoz
The University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), founded in 2008, is the
academic hub for clinical and translational science connecting resources, people and ideas throughout the University, the State of Florida, and the national Clinical and Translational Science Award consortium. The mission of the CTSI is to improve human health by strengthening the university’s ability to conduct clinical and translational research. Since its inception, nearly nine thousand researchers have taken advantage of the services and resources provided by the institute. This study evaluates the impact of the services and resources offered by the CTSI on research productivity.
Volusia County Public Investment Study
June, 2021
Hector H. Sandoval, Chase Benoist, Mark Girson
Over the years, state and local governments have used financial investments to attract out of state
businesses or to retain and expand existing businesses located within their area. Proponents argue the
investments are necessary for this economic development, while critics see these investments as a form
of corporate welfare. However, little is known about the effect of such investments. Nonetheless, given
that tax revenue is the primary source of a public entity to recover the investments, it is possible to
estimate the number of years to recover the investment as well as a return on investment (ROI).
Florida Assisted Living Facilities Cost of Providing Care
March, 2019
Hector H. Sandoval, Anita Walsh, Mark Girson
As the elderly population in Florida has increased, long‐term care needs have also expanded, and more
Floridians are receiving assistance at home, in assisted living facilities (ALFs), or in nursing homes.
However, as the population receiving these services increased, the cost and challenges faced by the
providers have increased as well. Commissioned by the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA), the
University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) developed and administered an
online survey to assess these challenges. In addition, a phone survey was conducted to obtain information about Floridians’ financial preparation for living in an ALF.
Research Productivity and Economic Impacts of the University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute
November, 2018
Hector H. Sandoval
The University of Florida Clinical and Translational Science Institute (UF CTSI) founded in 2008 is the
academic hub for clinical and translational science throughout the University and the State of Florida. The
mission of the UF CTSI is to improve human health by strengthening the university’s ability to conduct
clinical and translational research. Currently, more than one thousand researchers are associated with the
CTSI and benefit from the services and resources provided by the institute. This study uses individual research records on external funding, and the number and quality of publications, and follows a quasi-experimental approach to estimate the effects of CTSI’s association on research productivity. Additionally, the expenditures of the UF CTSI and the associated increase in external funding attracted by CTSI researchers contribute to the regional economy of Alachua County and the State of Florida through the creation of jobs and earnings, through the purchases of products and services from local industries, and the corresponding household spending.
An Update to the Net Impact of Retirees on Florida’s State and Local Budgets
September, 2018
Hector H. Sandoval, Anita Walsh
While retirees in Florida contribute around 2 percent, about $184, less per person to state and local
government revenues compared to other adults, government expenses are 35.1 percent lower, about
$3,985 less per person. These result in a positive net fiscal impact of $2,899 per retiree on Florida’s budget. Compared to other adults in Florida, retirees have slightly less income and spend a smaller portion of it on taxable goods. As a result, they contribute around 12.5 percent less per person to gross receipt tax revenue and 3.9 percent less per person to all other revenue sources. However, retirees own more valuable homes, and thus contribute around 22 percent more in property tax revenue.
Understanding Racial Inequity in Alachua County
January, 2018
Hector H. Sandoval
Racial inequity is a long-standing issue in many communities across the United States, affecting the opportunities of minority individuals and families. In March 2016, the United Church of Gainesville and the Alachua County branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sponsored a weekend-long seminar to focus community efforts on inequities in the Alachua County area. The seminar featured speakers from the Dane County, Wisconsin Race to Equity Project. This project collected existing national, state, and local data documenting racial disparities in the county and comparing those disparities to Wisconsin and the United States overall. Their study led to a community-wide focus on how their community can work together to meet the challenge of narrowing the gaps in quality of life among all racial and ethnic groups. A group of Gainesville, Florida community leaders representing Alachua County, Alachua County Public Schools, City of Gainesville, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Santa Fe College, UF Health, and University of Florida saw value in completing a similar project. Wishing to understand and document racial inequity in Alachua County, this group called for the development of a baseline report grounded in quantitative findings to document and provide insights about the extent, nature, and source of racial inequality in Alachua County.
The Economic Contribution of Cox Communications in Florida
December, 2016
Hector H. Sandoval, Camila Garcia
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company that operates
six clustered cable systems in 18 states, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and
home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. In Florida, Cox
Communications provides information services in two different regions, Central Florida and Gulf
Coast. In the process of providing its service, Cox contributes to both regional economies through the creation of direct and indirect jobs and earnings, and through the purchases generated by its business activity.
Polk County Healthcare Study: An Economic Analysis of Polk County’s Indigent Health Care Tax and Safety Net Program
June, 2016
Hector H. Sandoval, Steven Rowe, Anita Walsh, Colleen K. Porter
In Polk County, Florida’s Indigent Health Care program guarantees the provision of quality health care to the indigent and medically poor residents of the county. For the past 11 years, a one-half cent sales surtax approved by voters in Polk County in 2004 has provided funding for medical and dental services to hundreds of thousands of Polk’s most vulnerable people. The University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) conducted a
study to determine the economic impact associated with the Indigent Health Care program.