Strategic Economics Group

What Strategic Economics Group does

Strategic Economics Group (SEG) is a privately-held economic and planning consulting firm founded in 1997 and headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa. The firm delivers economic impact analysis, fiscal impact studies, cost-benefit analysis, regional economic analysis, economic forecasting, taxation studies, retail trade analysis, housing and transportation planning studies, and economic development strategic planning to government agencies, educational institutions, utilities, gaming operators, and private enterprises primarily across Iowa and the broader Midwest. SEG positions objectivity as a core operating principle and explicitly declines projects requiring predetermined conclusions.

SEG's analytical stack is built on industry-standard economic modeling tools — the IMPLAN Input-Output Model, the REMI dynamic regional impact model, and GIS-based spatial modeling — supplemented by proprietary in-house software and project-specific customized economic and statistical models. The firm's principals include Michael Lipsman (Ph.D., formerly Iowa Department of Revenue Tax Research Manager) and Harvey Siegelman (formerly Iowa's longest-serving State Economist), supported by affiliate economists Daniel Otto (Iowa State University Emeritus) and Natalie Davila (Ph.D., formerly Illinois Department of Revenue Research Director). SEG has delivered major studies for clients including the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Dakota Access LLC, ITC Midwest, MidAmerican Energy, Penn National Gaming, Principal Financial Group, and several Iowa universities.

SEG operates as a project-based professional services firm with custom per-project pricing, no publicly disclosed rates, and revenue derived entirely from consulting engagements. The firm markets primarily through its website, published research and tax papers, and direct professional referrals within the Iowa business and government community. Distribution is exclusively direct client engagement, with delivery handled by principals and affiliates — no resellers, channels, or intermediaries. Strategic partnerships have been limited, most notably with Spectrum Gaming Group (for a 2014 Iowa gambling socioeconomic impact study) and Snyder & Associates (an Iowa engineering firm collaborating on market analyses).

Name

Strategic Economics Group

Legal name

Strategic Economics Group

Website

https://economicsgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic and Planning Consulting Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Research, Statistics & Policy Advisory (BPADAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Sector & Policy Consulting (BPAHACAN), Strategy & Corporate Development Consulting (BPAHACAA)

Keywords

• Economic impact analysis
• Fiscal impact studies
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Regional economic consulting
• Economic development planning

Headquarters

HQ city

West Des Moines

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Economic Research and Consulting Services: Project-based consulting engagements for economic impact analysis, cost-benefit analysis, fiscal impact analysis, regional economic analysis, economic development strategic planning, housing and transportation planning studies, taxation studies, and retail trade analysis. Pricing is determined per project with budgets prepared based on scope specifications. Payment terms include periodic partial payments for new clients with balance due upon project completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Strategic Economics Group is an economic and planning consulting firm that delivers project-based studies and analyses, including economic and fiscal impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses, regional economic studies, economic development strategic planning, taxation studies, housing and transportation planning, retail trade analysis, and gaming industry analysis. The firm serves government agencies, educational institutions, utilities, and private-sector clients, applying industry-standard tools such as IMPLAN, REMI, and GIS alongside proprietary economic and statistical models developed for each engagement.

Product overview

Strategic Economics Group is an economic and planning consulting firm that offers a comprehensive suite of advisory services rather than a unified software product. The firm provides economic impact analysis, cost-benefit analysis, regional economic analysis, and custom economic model development services. Their core offerings include taxation studies, retail trade analysis, housing and transportation planning, and gaming industry analysis. The firm utilizes industry-standard impact modeling tools including IMPLAN Input-Output Model, REMI dynamic regional impact model, and GIS modeling and mapping. These services are delivered as professional consulting engagements rather than standalone software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Economic Impact Analysis Economic and fiscal impact analysis services measuring the effects of projects, policies, or investments on employment, income, and economic output at local, regional, and national levels, delivered for government agencies, educational institutions, utilities, and corporate clients.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis Comprehensive evaluation of project costs against anticipated benefits, including social, economic, and environmental impacts, for government and private sector clients.
• Regional Economic Analysis Analysis of regional economic conditions, trends, and forecasts including demographic analysis, market studies, and trade area mapping for municipalities, utilities, and private developers.
• Economic and Financial Model Development Development of custom economic, financial, and statistical models using proprietary software for forecasting, impact analysis, and policy simulation, tailored to client-specific scenarios.
• Information Systems Development Development of management information systems for economic data tracking, analysis, and reporting purposes, historically including compliance tools for clients such as Principal Financial Group.
• Economic Development Strategic Planning Strategic planning services for economic development including target industry analysis, incentive program evaluation, and development strategy formulation for state, regional, and local economic development agencies.
• Housing and Transportation Planning Studies Housing needs assessments, transportation planning studies, and community development analysis for municipalities and developers.
• Taxation Studies Analysis of state and local tax policies, property tax trends, sales and use tax statistics, and tax increment financing impacts for government agencies and legislative bodies.
• Retail Trade Analysis Analysis of retail trade patterns, market share, consumer spending, and competitive positioning for specific geographic areas or business sectors, including market studies such as Pella-Oskaloosa Street Market Analysis and Bettendorf Market Analysis.
• Gaming Industry Analysis Gaming industry analysis including casino tax impact modeling, socioeconomic impact studies, and market forecasting for gambling operations, state gaming commissions, and gaming associations.

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Spectrum Gaming GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEG partnered with Spectrum Gaming Group to conduct the comprehensive 273-page Socioeconomic Impact of Gambling on Iowans study commissioned by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission in 2014. Spectrum Gaming Group provided gaming industry expertise while SEG contributed economic analysis capabilities.
• Snyder & AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEG has worked with Iowa-based engineering firm Snyder & Associates on multiple projects including Pella-Oskaloosa Street Market Analysis, Bettendorf Market Analysis, and Northwest River District Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. SEG provides economic and market analysis while Snyder & Associates handles engineering and planning aspects.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Economic & Planning Systems (EPS): Economic and real estate market analysis consultancy with similar economic impact, land use, and public sector planning practices — comparable service portfolio and analytical methodology.
• Beacon Economics: Economic research and consulting firm producing economic forecasts, impact analyses, and policy studies for public and private clients — comparable economic research and forecasting services.
• Camoin Associates: Economic development and impact analysis consultancy providing economic impact, fiscal impact, and feasibility studies for public and private sector clients — overlapping practice areas with SEG.
• TischlerBise: Fiscal and economic impact analysis firm serving municipalities, counties, and developers with cost-benefit, fiscal impact, and revenue forecasting studies — directly comparable service line to SEG's core offerings.
• BBC Research & Consulting: Economic and policy research firm delivering economic and fiscal impact analyses, market studies, and policy research to public agencies and corporations — directly comparable methodology and client mix.
• Angelou Economics: Economic development consulting firm specializing in target industry analysis, incentive evaluation, and impact studies — comparable economic development strategic planning services to SEG.
• RKG Associates: Economic and real estate market analysis firm providing fiscal impact, economic impact, and housing demand studies for municipalities and developers — overlaps with SEG's economic impact and housing studies.
• Mt. Auburn Associates: Economic and planning consulting firm focused on housing, community development, and economic impact analysis — comparable housing needs assessment and community development work.

Others

• IMPLAN Group: Provider of the IMPLAN Input-Output Model that SEG uses as a core analytical tool — adjacent technology provider rather than direct competitor, but increasingly enabling self-service impact analysis that competes with consulting hours.

Regional players

• Snyder & Associates: Iowa-based engineering and planning firm that SEG has partnered with on multiple Midwestern projects; not a direct economic consulting competitor but a frequent collaborator and adjacent regional planning peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/strategic-economics-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Strategic Economics Group