About

About Impact DataSource

Specialized. Experienced. Unbiased.

Established in 1993, Impact DataSource is an Austin, Texas-based economic consulting firm. Impact DataSource provides high-quality economic research, specializing in economic and fiscal impact analyses. Our firm is highly focused on supporting economic development professionals and organizations through consulting services and software. Impact DataSource has conducted thousands of economic impact analyses of new businesses, retention and expansion projects, developments, and activities in all industry groups throughout the U.S. 

EB-5 Consulting Services

Impact DataSource is also a leader in the EB-5 industry. Since 2011, Impact DataSource has completed over 450 comprehensive EB-5 economic impact studies, assisted clients in obtaining countless TEA certifications, and provided hundreds of hours of RFE, NOID, and due diligence support.

Economic Development Impact Software

Impact DataSource developed and supports the only impact software built for economic developers, Impact DashBoard. Impact DashBoard is the result of our 25+ years of experience helping economic developers change their communities.

Impact DataSource offers prompt, concise and professional economic impact reports. Their customized, user-friendly model for reports has been instrumental in our decision making process when evaluating prospective investments in our community.
Ana Borchardt
Director of Business Expansion & Retention at Belton Economic Development Corporation
Economic Development Consulting Services

Economic Impact. Fiscal Impact. Incentive Analysis. We've got you covered.

Cloud-based ED Operations Software

Impact DashBoard is THE solution for the judicious use of economic development incentives.

EB-5 Consulting Services

EB-5 Jobs Reports. Targeted Employment Area Research. EB-5 Economist support for RFE and NOID.

Our Team

Jerry Walker
Founder
Jerry Walker established Impact DataSource in 1993 and conducted economic and fiscal impact analyses of numerous individual firms, facilities, projects, and economic development activities. Jerry has conducted hundreds of analyses for projects seeking assistance from the Texas Enterprise Fund program. Jerry has Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees in accounting and economics from Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, Louisiana. Prior to founding Impact DataSource, Jerry had a fifteen-year career as a supervisory auditor with two federal departments where he reviewed federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Jerry is originally from Chatham in North Central Louisiana but has been a resident of Austin, Texas since college. After work he enjoys spending time with his partner, Tez, and daily visits to the gym. He is the proud father of two sons, Jacob and Stephen, and the proud grandfather of granddaughter, Morgan, and grandsons, Anders and Asa.

Paul Scheuren

Managing Partner & Economist
512-524-0892 [email protected] Paul Scheuren joined Impact DataSource in 2009 and currently manages the development of Impact DashBoard, the firm’s economic and fiscal impact model. Paul provides support to many of the client's model users in addition to preparing studies for individual projects. Paul also conducts analyses for larger projects including hospitals, mixed-use developments, oil and gas projects, manufacturers, as well as a variety of other activities. Paul has a Master of Arts in economics from Clemson University as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in actuarial science from Temple University. Paul is originally from Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, but got to Texas as fast as he could. On the weekends Paul can most often be found on his bike, in a pool, or on the running trails preparing for an upcoming triathlon. Paul is a 4x Ironman and when he isn't training for a race he can be found traveling the world with his wife, Anjie.

Michael Kester
Partner & Lead EB-5 Economist
316-670-0044 [email protected] Michael Kester is Impact DataSource’s lead EB-5 economist, focusing on EB-5 jobs studies, TEA analyses and business plans. He provides EB-5 consulting, services, and deliverables that reflect the evolving needs of EB-5 clients and also the changing requirements of the USCIS. Michael has led a team of economists that have performed more than 450 comprehensive economic studies for EB-5 applications. He also leads the firm’s EB-5 targeted employment area (TEA) team, which has analyzed thousands of sites for TEA-eligibility and assisted clients in obtaining more than 1,000 TEA certifications. Michael has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Kansas State University. Michael is originally from Wichita, Kansas and moved to Austin after working several years in New York City as an actuary. He enjoys spending time with his wife Emily, daughters Isabella and Nina, and Airedale mutt Ozzie (not necessarily in that order). Whatever time might be left is split between playing keys in a local Austin band, indoor soccer, and painfully watching the Minnesota Vikings.

Josh Gillespie
Senior Web Developer
[email protected] Josh Gillespie is a web developer with Impact DataSource and is currently leading the development of Impact DashBoard, a web-based economic and fiscal impact tool. Josh is passionate about creating fast, functional web applications and is always excited to explore new technologies. As a (not so) closeted math nerd, getting to build software with plenty of complex calculations provides the perfect environment for Josh to do what he does best. Josh has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Management. In 2014 he graduated from Coding Dojo, where he solidified his skills in web application development. Born and raised in sunny South Florida, Josh naturally spends most of his time indoors, behind a laptop or other screen. On weekends you’ll likely find him at a local Austin coffee shop, still on his laptop. He does venture out occasionally and enjoys hiking and traveling with his wife, Adora.

Consulting

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Publications & Presentations

Economic Development

Publications

P. Scheuren, “7 Things Your Board Needs to Know About that Cost-Benefit Analysis” LinkedIn Article, February 22, 2017.

Scheuren, “The Role of Economic Development Incentives and Credits from the State and Local Government Perspective” Institute for Professionals in Taxation in association with the 2012 Credits and Incentives Symposium in Orlando, Florida.

Presentations

Scheuren, D. Velazquez, R. Malik, “Sell Your Project With the Facts: Presenting Economic Development Impacts to Gain Buy-In” Presentation at the Texas Economic Development Council’s 2018 Annual Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, October 18, 2018.

Scheuren, “The Data You WISH You Could Buy” Presentation at the International Economic Development Council’s 2018 Annual Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, October 2, 2018.

Scheuren, D. Hanna, N. Young, S. Murley, “State Economic Researchers’ Roundtable” Presentation at the C2ER Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA, June 6, 2018.

Scheuren, “What Your ED Board Needs to Know About That Cost-Benefit Report” Presentation at the International Economic Development Council’s 2017 Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada, September 18, 2017.

D’Souza, “1-2-3 CEcD” Presentation at the Texas Economic Development Council’s 2017 Mid-Year Conference, Plano, Texas, June 8, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, J. Clary, J. Quirino, J. Jaworski, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at High Ground – Levelland Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Levelland, TX, May 24, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, R. Brockman, A. Cruz, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at Central TX – New Braunfels Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, New Braunfels, TX, May 19, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, C. Ayres, K. Collins, C. Hernandez, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at Central Texas – Temple Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Temple, TX, May 18, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, J. Ford, L. Buehler, F. Welch, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at Houston Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Houston, TX, May 16, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, R. Garza, H. Gonzalez, G. Salinas, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at Rio Grande Valley – Harlingen Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Harlingen, TX, May 11, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, T. Mullins, K. Overby, D. Maisel, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at East Texas – Tyler Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Tyler, TX, May 1, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, M. Dollar, T. Chase, S. Kirkpatrick, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at Central Texas – Georgetown Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Georgetown, TX, April 27, 2017.

Scheuren, “What Your ED Board Needs to Know About That Cost-Benefit Report” Presentation at 2017 Rural Economic Development Initiatives (REDI) Session III, Odessa, TX, April 26, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, F. Edwards, T. Carlberg, I. Vasey, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at Gulf Coast – Aransas Pass Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Aransas Pass, TX, April 25, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, J. Plotnik, A. Loyd, T. Kaai, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at North Texas – Sherman Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Sherman, TX, April 20, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, D. Bowman, A. Cook, J. Grabenhorst, D. Booth, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at DFW – Dallas Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Dallas, TX, April 19, 2017.

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, S. Welmaker, A. Thompson, B. Payne, “Economic Development Secrets and Best Practices Summit” Presentation at DFW – Mansfield Impact DataSource 2017 Road Show, Mansfield, TX, April 18, 2017.

Walker, P. Scheuren, N. D’Souza, J. Quirino, K. Collins, D. Scheiner “Economic Development Secrets Live” Presentation at the Texas Economic Development Council’s 2016 Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas, October, 20, 2016.

Scheuren, A. Roy, J. Grisham, J. Bonnot, “Art of the Deal Impact Analysis” Learning Lab Presentation at the International Economic Development Council’s 2016 Annual Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, September 26, 2016.

Scheuren, S. Field, L. Foster, “All Things Data: Core Tools for Economic Development Practitioners” Presentation at the Northeastern Economic Developers Association’s 2016 Annual Conference, New Haven, Connecticut, September 12, 2016.

Scheuren, T. Chase, G. LeRoy, M. Meek, “EDRP Recent Research – Seeding Growth: Maximizing the Return on Incentives” Presentation at the IEDC 2015 Economic Future Forum, Madison, Wisconsin, June 8, 2015.

Walker, E. Harpel, J. Gandy, J. Sternlicht, “Best Practices in Incentive Due Diligence” Presentation at the IEDC 2014 Annual Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, October 21, 2014.

Scheuren, “The Role of Economic Development Incentives and Credits from the State and Local Government” Institute for Professionals in Taxation Credits and Incentives Symposium, Orlando, Florida, October 22, 2012.

Walker, P. Scheuren, “Using Economic Impact Analysis to Fashion and Defend Reasonable Incentive Packages” Presentation at the IEDC 2012 Annual Conference, Houston, Texas, October 2, 2012.

Walker, P. Scheuren, “Making Good Decisions on Incentives” Presentation at the Texas Community Development Institute, Lone Star College, The Woodlands, Texas, March 5-6, 2012.

Scheuren, “Economic Benefit of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas” Testimony to Kansas State Legislature Veteran/Military/Homeland Security Committee, Topeka, Kansas, January 24, 2012.

Scheuren, “Using Economic Impact Analysis to Fashion Incentive Packages” Presentation at the 2011 Kentucky Association of Economic Development (KAED) Annual Conference, Paducah, Kentucky, November 10, 2011.

Walker, P. Scheuren, “Using Economic Impact Analysis to Fashion Incentive Packages” 2011 Texas Economic Development Council Annual Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, October 5, 2011.

Walker, “Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis” Presentation at the New Mexico Industrial Development Executives Association’ annual conference, October 21, 2009, Albuquerque, NM

Walker, “The Fiscal Impact of Residential Development”, Presentation at the National Association of Homebuilder’s 2004 Executive Officers Council Seminar, Destin, Florida, August 28, 2004.

Webinars

Scheuren, J. Philip, “Impact DashBoard Confidential” 2018 Impact DataSource Webinar Series, January 31, 2018.

Scheuren, A. Miller,  “Impact DashBoard Confidential” 2018 Impact DataSource Webinar Series, February 7, 2018.

Scheuren, C. Morris, “Impact DashBoard Confidential” 2018 Impact DataSource Webinar Series, February 14, 2018.

Scheuren, J. Pipkin, “Impact DashBoard Confidential” 2018 Impact DataSource Webinar Series, February 21, 2018.

Scheuren, J. Greiner, “Impact DashBoard Confidential” 2018 Impact DataSource Webinar Series, February 28, 2018.

Scheuren, E. Harpel, “Using Data and Analytics to Reduce Risk” 2017 Council of Development Finance Agencies Intro Incentives WebCourse, April 5, 2017

Scheuren, A. Farmer, “Determining the Value of Retail Development in Your Community” 2017 The Retail Coach Webinar Series, March 22, 2017.

Scheuren, “In Defense of ED Incentives” 2016 Impact DataSource Webinar, September 15, 2016.

Scheuren, A. Brossoit, “Impact Analysis: A Tool for Building Support for Your Economic Development Deal” 2016 Golden Shovel Webinar Series, August 24, 2016

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, “Economic Development Metrics for Success” 2016 Impact DataSource Webinar, July, 13, 2016.

Scheuren, E. Harpel, “Using Data and Analytics to Reduce Risk” 2016 Council of Development Finance Agencies Intro Incentives WebCourse, June 15, 2016

Scheuren, N. D’Souza, “Trends in Rural and Small Town Economic Development in Texas” 2016 Impact DataSource Webinar, May, 25, 2016.

Walker, P. Scheuren, M.J. Stanley, “Using Economic Impact Analysis to Make Good Decisions on Incentives” 2012 Florida Economic Development Council Webinar Series, January 17, 2012.

J. Walker, P. Scheuren, “Using Economic Impact Analysis to Fashion Incentive Packages” 2011 Texas Economic Development Council Webinar Series, October 17, 2011.

EB-5

Publications

Mullane, “Trends In Proposed Legislation Suggest Very Strict Definitions Of TEAs In The Future” Regional Center Business Journal (June 2017): 31-34

Kester & M. Mullane, “New RIMS II Multipliers Released” Regional Center Business Journal (March 2017): 18-19

Kester, “TEA Designations: Proposed DHS Rule Would Significantly Alter the Process” Regional Center Business Journal (March 2017): 30-33

Kester, “TEA Timing: The Merits of Legislation to Lock-In a TEA Determination” Regional Center Business Journal (April 2016): 46-47

Kester, “RIMS II Regional Multipliers Updated for First Time Since 2012” Regional Center Business Journal (January 2016): 33-34

Kester, “TEA Definition in the Leah–Grassley Proposal Would Severely Hinder Potential EB-5 Projects” EB5Investors Magazine, V3 I2 (August 2015): 50-52

Kester, “Summary of USCIS EB-5 Interactive Series Call: Expenses that are Includable (or Excludable) for Job Creation” Regional Center Business Journal (July 2015): 47-48

Kester & M. Mullane, “Hot Topics in EB-5 Job Creation and Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs) with the Economists from Impact DataSource,” EB-5 SuperMarket Quarterly 1 (2015)

Scheuren, “A Comparison of States’ Approaches to Targeted Employment Area (TEA) Certification,” Regional Center Business Journal (December 2014): 38-39

Scheuren, “Modified Regional Input-Output Model from BEA to be Released in 2015,” Regional Center Business Journal (October 2014): 32

Scheuren, “Targeted Employment Area Data Changes,” Regional Center Business Journal (June 2014): 33-35

Scheuren, “New IMPLAN “I-RIMS” Product Introduced as Alternative to RIMS II,” Regional Center Business Journal (December 2013): 14

Presentations

Kester, “EB-5 Economics and Investing in the USA” Presentation at the SD Global Partnership Mexico City Event, Mexico City, Mexico, March 29, 2017.

Kester. N. Korpivaara, L. Cohen, P. Cohen, R. Lee, “Planning for Change: Current Issues in EB-5 Economic Reports & Business Plans” Panel Presentation at the EB5 Investors Magazine’s New York EB-5 Convention, New York, New York, July 18, 2016.

Kester, C. Triantaphyllis, “EB-5 Panel” Presentation at the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) 2015 Mid-Year Conference, Galveston, Texas, June 3-5, 2015.

Scheuren, C. Barr, E. Beshara, D, Lurie, R. Thomas, K. Wright, “Creating a Compliant Regional Center and Successful Project” Presentation at the New York County Lawyers’ Association 2014 Fall/Winter EB5 Conference, Atlantic City, New Jersey, November 17, 2014.

Kester, J. Carr, L. Cohen & C. Jen, “EB-5 Business Plan Writing & Economic Reporting” Presentation at the 4th Annual IIUSA EB-5 Market Exchange, San Francisco, California, October 22, 2014.

Scheuren, J. Martinez, A. Mirabi, B. Rojano, J. Wilding, “EB-5 Investments Panel” Presentation at the Texas Rural Challenge Conference, Waco, Texas, June 19, 2014.

Scheuren, L. Gomez, B. Graham, D. Healy, A. Mirabi, H. Schopfer, “EB-5 financing and P3” Presentation at the 2014 Public-Private Partnership Conference, Dallas, Texas, February 24, 2014.

Kester, “EB-5 Due Diligence & Risk Analysis: Economic Analysis and Job Projections” Presentation at USAdvisors EB-5 Project Funding, Securities & Investor Due Diligence Seminar, Los Angeles, California, October 30, 2013.

Kester, “Economic Impact Assessment Review: Verifying Methodologies and Inputs” Presentation at USAdvisors EB-5 Project Funding, Securities & Investor Due Diligence Seminar, Austin, Texas, October 14, 2013.

Kester, “EB-5 Due Diligence & Risk Analysis: Economic Analysis and Job Projections” Presentation at USAdvisors EB-5 Project Funding, Securities & Investor Due Diligence Seminar, New York, New York, October 1, 2013.

Walker, & J. Barnes “The EB-5 Program: Financing by US Immigration Visa Applicants, Applicant –Funded Regional Centers and Financing Transactions” Strasburger and Price EB-5 Seminar, February 20, 2013.

Webinars

Kester, “EB-5 TEAs: What to Know in 2017”, Impact DataSource EB-5 Webinar Series, May 2, 2015.

Kester, “What You Need to Know About TEAs in 2016”, Impact DataSource EB-5 Webinar Series, May 4, 2016.

Kester, R. Klasko, D. Lurie, A. Paparelli, J. Tishler, “Implications of Senate bill introduced by Senators Grassley & Leahy”, EB5 Diligence Webinar Series, June 24, 2015.

Kester, “TEAS – What to Know in 2015”, Impact DataSource 2015 Webinar Series, May 5, 2015.

Kester, J. Carr & C. Lee “USCIS EB-5 Adjudication Trends: EB-5 Economics: Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs & Economic Methodologies)” 2014 IIUSA Webinar Series, September 25, 2014.

Scheuren, P. Joseph, M. McKee & D. Owusu “Understanding the EB-5 Model in Texas” Webinar Presentation for the CDFA Texas Financing Roundtable (in partnership with Texas Economic Development Council), July 16, 2014.

Scheuren, J. Carr, & D. Kay “EB-5 Economics: Overview of Available Input/Output Models” 2014 IIUSA Webinar Series, May 29, 2014.