Upjohn Institute 2008 Economic Impact Study

    [Click on links below]

    As part of the Conversion and Mitigation proposal  for Jean Klock
    Park, Harbor Shores provided the Department of Natural
    Resources and the National Park Service an outdated, grossly
    inflated and unofficial Economic Impact Study.

    That study was conducted by Fisher and Douglas, MBA
    candidates at the Indiana University Kelly Business School Sports
    and Entertainment Academy, the alma mater of Mark Hesemann
    of Evergreen Development, the Harbor Shores land acquisition
    and golf course development entity. The Fisher and Douglas
    methodology was substantially different from the Upjohn
    Employment Institute methodology, and wide disparities between
    the two are explained on page 19 of the linked report.

    We have been aware of the new study that was conducted by the
    Upjohn Institute for Employment Research for quite some time.
    This new study was submitted to Cornerstone Alliance sometime
    near the beginning of 2008. Cornerstone was to have reviewed the
    report to determine if the parameters and assumptions were
    correct then return it to the Upjohn Institute who in turn would
    make the report public.

    After several failed attempts at retrieving the study from
    Cornerstone Alliance, the Upjohn Institute made the decision to
    post the new study on their website for public review. From
    reading this new study it is clear to us why Harbor Shores did not
    want this report to be made public.

    The study begins with the following Disclaimer:

    Disclaimer

    "This Upjohn Institute report provides an estimate only of
    the potential economic impact of the proposed Harbor
    Shores development in Berrien County, Michigan. It must
    not be construed as a market feasibility study for the
    proposed development. It is based solely on growth
    projections provided by the Harbor Shores developers, and it
    does not offer an assessment of the soundness of these
    projections. In addition, the Upjohn Institute in providing
    the report is not thereby giving its support for the leasing of
    22 acres of the Jean Klock Park for the development’s golf
    course. An assessment of the social and environmental
    consequences of this action is well beyond the scope of this
    report."

    The study ends with an addendum that in part states:

    "Finally, and most importantly, the Fisher and Douglas
    report chose to use the concept of “job years” to report the
    employment impacts associated with the Harbor Shores
    project. This concept is not a reporting technique generally
    used by professional economists."
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