What are indicators?
Indicators are facts that help show how a region is doing, the way the unemployment rate helps show the health of the economy. Measuring these kinds of data helps communities:

Since indicators are numerical measures related to economics, demographics, transportation, land use, housing, real estate, public safety, etc., they can be arranged for comparative purposes.

Why are they important?
Indicators provide a snapshot of present conditions, changes over time, measures of Long Island’s competitive position, and set the path for future action.

How are indicators chosen?
The Advisory Committee identifies fundamental goals for the region. Goals include things like a growing, prosperous economy and a well-educated populace. The Advisory Committee then works in collaboration with the Technical Committee, composed of experts in the fields of economics, demographics, education, transportation, etc. Together these committees identify measurable indicators that are used to show how we are doing in relation to each goal, and to track our progress over time.

How are indicator studies used?
Over 200 cities and regions across the country have carried out indicator projects and many have experienced significant progress because of their efforts.  For example:

The Chicago Metropolis 2020 Regional Indicators Report led more than 100 Chicago business leaders to sign a unique pledge to include access to affordable housing and mass transit as key criteria for future business sites.  The report is a Metropolis Plan for regional transportation and housing.

The Index of Silicon Valley revealed a growing gap between housing supply and demand that resulted in rapidly increasing costs.  To address this problem, a regional housing action committee led by business and environmental leaders was formed to deal with issues of affordable housing. Their solution was to develop a “smart” building permit that was accepted by all municipalities in the region.  In addition, the indicators project identified serious educational disparities between Hispanics, African Americans, Whites and Asians. They also found that many students were unprepared for positions that employers needed to fill throughout the region.  In response, local businesses raised a $24 million venture fund for teacher training and curriculum development as part of a 21st Century Education Plan.  As a result, higher test scores and a stronger partnership between the business and education sectors have been achieved.