Economic Development Strategy, Planning, and Evaluation
Mt. Auburn provides a full range of consulting services in the field of economic development analysis and strategy. Working with a variety of public and private organizations, the firm creates effective economic development policies and programs that promote economic growth and stability, job generation, and the improved functioning of capital markets.
about us
evaluation
Mt. Auburn views evaluations as fundamentally a learning exercise. At Mt. Auburn, we help our clients to identify and assess anticipated program outcomes, to better understand those elements of its programs that are more or less effective, and to refine its activities to better meet its intended outcomes.
To accomplish these goals, Mt. Auburn emphasizes the following in our approach:
-
Clear articulation of the development program or “model” being evaluated.
-
Design of performance measures that are consistent with the program “model.”
-
Use of both quantitative and qualitative methods.
-
Measurement of developmental and institutional impacts. While they may defy quantification, documenting these important impacts is critical.
-
Close collaboration between the consultants and the client -- involving learning and teaching on both sides.
Mt. Auburn’s evaluation work has included both process and outcome evaluations. The firm has completed several community level evaluations in addition to numerous multi-site state and national evaluations. Our clients include the U.S. Economic Development Administration, several states, and foundations.
representative projects
Evaluation of the Fund for Our Economic Future, Northeast Ohio.
Evaluation of The Heinz Endowments’ Economic Opportunity Program.
Evaluation of Skillworks (previously the Boston Workforce Development Initiative).
Evaluation of the Career Ladders Initiative: Fleet Charitable Trusts. Mt. Auburn Associates recently completed a three-year evaluation of a program funded by the Fleet Charitable Trusts to support career advancement among low-income, entry-level workers. The program funded four partnerships between training providers and employers in the healthcare and financial services industries. The partnerships designed innovative approaches to identifying career advancement opportunities and providing training and other support services designed to assist workers to move into higher-skilled, higher-paying jobs. As part of the evaluation, Mt. Auburn Associates monitored the progress of each of the projects over the three-year period, undertook interviews with all of the project partners, and conducted focus groups with participants in the projects. Mt. Auburn staff participated in regular cross-site meetings and advised the client about problems in the projects as they arose. As a formative evaluation, Mt. Auburn also worked with the individual project staff on problem solving.
Evaluation of the Working Capital Micro-Enterprise Lending Program.
Evaluation of Oregon’s Regional Strategies Program.
Evaluation of Ohio’s Thomas Edison Technology Centers.
Evaluation of Maine New Century Program.
Evaluation of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s University Center Program.
