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SOURCES <br />REFERENCES AND METHODOLOGY, 2020 DecennialCensus: United States Census Bureau. US Census "Profiles" 2023 Washington: https://data.census.gov/profile/ <br />Washi ngton?g =040XX00U S53. US Census'Profiles" 2023 King County: https://data.census.gov/profile/ <br />King-County, Wash ington?g=050XX00US53033. US Census "Profiles" 2023 Kittitas County: https://data.census,gov/profile/ <br />Kittitas_Cou nty,_Washi ngton?g=Q$gXX00U S53037. US Census "Profiles" 2023Yakima County: https://data.census.gov/profi le/ <br />Yakima_County,_Washington?g=959p100US53077. CWU BCS RegionalContribution Continuum (2025): https://wwwcwu. <br />edu/about/offices/business-community-services/bcs-regional-contribution- <br />contin uum-white-paper-1 .0. pdf <br />U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: Retrieved 712312025: <br />https://apps, bea, gov/ <br />This feasibility study integrates multiple levels of economic analysis to determine <br />the appropriateness of Old Heat as a commercialization hub for Central <br />Washington. The methods below explain how data were gathered, which <br />industries were selected, and how results were calculated for each section of the <br />study. <br />INTRODUGTION -OLD HEAT COMMERCIALIZATION CENTER' <br />lndustries were grouped using the CWU BCS's (2025) Regional Contribution <br />Continuum (RCC)framework, which classifies firms as Extractive, Retentive, <br />Additive, orAccelerative depending on their net contribution to longterm regional <br />prosperity. This provided the foundation for identifying structural gaps in Kittitas <br />County's economy. <br />Section A: A product market analysis linked to economic development <br />To assess regional economic position, we compiled and compared data from the <br />66 lOld Heat CERB Feasibility Study <br />Washington State Employment Security Department (median and hourly wages) <br />and the U.S. Census Bureau's Local Employment Dynamics program. These <br />data allowed comparison of Kittitas County to Yakima County, King County, and <br />the state overall. The analysis focused on median wage levels, educational <br />attai n ment, and ind ustry employment structure. <br />SECTION G: TARGETED INDUSTRIES <br />lndustries were selected based on three criteria: <br />1. Wage and Skill lntensity - industries with compensation significantly <br />above Kittitas County's median wage; <br />2. Alignment with State and National Clusters - sectors such as <br />aerospace, agtech, and advanced materials where Washington already <br />has comparative advantages; and <br />3. Compatibility with GWU and Local Capabilities - fit with university <br />STEM programs, applied research, and nearby supply chain assets. <br />lndustry data were drawn from the U.S. Census Annual Survey of Manufactures <br />and BEA input-output tables. NAICS codes used included 336412 (Aircraft <br />Engine and Engine Parts), 336413 (OtherAircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment), <br />and 333111 (Agricultural Machinery). lmport penetration ratios and supply chain <br />gaps were identified by comparing U.S. shipment values with import values, <br />highlighting opportunities for reshoring and regional capture. <br />SECTION H: DIVERSIFICATION AND ECONOMIC IMPACT <br />Economic concentration and diversification were measured using two standard <br />indexes: the Normalized Shannon-Weaver lndex (to capture breadth of <br />industries)and the Herfindahl-Hirschman lndex (HHl, to capture employment <br />concentration). County-level employment data were sourced from Washington <br />State ESD and the U.S. Census. To model industryJeveleconomic impacts, <br />IMPLAN input-output modeling software was applied to simulate the direct, <br />indirect, and induced effects of introducing new aerospace and agricultural <br />machinery activities into Kittitas County. This produced estimates of employment <br />multipliers, output per worker, and secondary spending effects. <br />SECTION N: WAGE ESTIMATION <br />Wage levels for targeted industries were calculated using a combination <br />of IMPLAN industry tables and Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational