The TPEC Industry Clusters and Freight team is making significant progress with their research on the economic and transportation dynamics of agroindustry clusters in the Upper Midwest. The team is using a mixed-methods approach, including interviews, case studies, literature reviews, and extensive data analysis.
TPEC and its partners at Region 9 Development Commission are uncovering valuable insights into the complex relationships between agricultural production, regional economics, and supply chains. Early findings reveal distinct spatial patterns in agricultural sales, highlighting regional specialization in commodities like animal production and milk. However, the industry's heavy export model indicates a potential loss of economic benefits to local communities.
Another important focus area of this work is exploring the environmental impact of transportation within the agricultural sector. Findings show the potential need to shift towards more sustainable transportation practices. TPEC's research underscores the importance of promoting local and regional food systems, investing in value-added processing, and utilizing low-carbon transportation modes to mitigate the environmental footprint of the agricultural sector. This work seeks to inform the development of strategies that promote a more sustainable, equitable, and circular agricultural sector in the Midwest.