Dr. Alan Barefield provides a variety of professional consulting services. Please view the following:

1. Community and Regional Economic Impact Analysis

Dr. Barefield can provide in-depth assessments of the economic contributions of major employers, institutions, or projects (such as hospitals, universities, or industrial sites). These studies help communities and policymakers understand multipliers, job creation, tax base implications, and long-term sustainability.

2. Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program Design and Training

Leveraging his BREI certification and award-winning experience, he can help communities develop and implement BRE strategies. This includes training local leaders, facilitating surveys and focus groups with businesses, and designing systems to track and respond to business needs before they consider relocating.

3. Rural Infrastructure and Workforce Planning

He can advise counties, municipalities, and development districts on aligning infrastructure investments (transportation, broadband, utilities, healthcare access) with economic development goals. His work would also include labor force analysis to strengthen workforce pipelines for key industries.

4. Health and Rural Economy Integration Studies

Dr. Barefield has extensive experience in health economics, making him uniquely qualified to analyze how healthcare systems and hospitals contribute to local economies. He can conduct impact studies, evaluate return on investment for rural health initiatives, and guide policy on integrating healthcare and economic growth strategies.

5. Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Consulting

He can support local governments, chambers, and universities in creating entrepreneurship ecosystems. Services could include feasibility studies, market analysis for new ventures, program design for incubators/accelerators, and evaluation of entrepreneurship’s contribution to regional resilience.