About Us
Making an Impact
Making an impact requires the right data and information to persuade others. Finding the right data and information for your proposal, business plan, presentation, grant application, development, or project can be time-consuming and difficult with the vast sea of data and information that is on the Internet.
DISC can Help
That’s where the Data and Information Systems Center (DISC) at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley can help. DISC specializes in data and information systems. With its professional staff, resources, and experience, DISC is your source for data, research, impact analysis, and maps.
Wealth of Data
As one of the 54 Census Information Centers in the nation, DISC is an expert in finding and analyzing Census data the government collects on Americans such as population, businesses, households, income, poverty, housing, age and sex, health insurance, labor force, migration, educational attainment, industry, and hundreds of other data.
Data Analysis
Using a variety of software, data can be analyzed by geography such as zip codes, block groups, tracts, cities, counties, school districts, congressional districts and other areas. DISC can generate demographic and market potential reports for business locations by radii in miles, driving times, or customized trade areas. DISC has statistical software to conduct data and statistical analysis on survey data.
Research
Sometimes the data or information you are looking for is simply not available from a source. That is where primary research comes in. DISC can design a custom research project to collect the data and information you need. DISC offers questionnaire design, sample design, sampling selection, interviewing, data entry, data analysis, and reporting services.
Impact Analysis
DISC is an expert in conducting economic impact and fiscal impact studies. Using industry standard software, DISC can conduct economic impact analysis on new companies, new programs, and EB-5 projects to estimate the total impact on the local economy. Fiscal impact analysis evaluates the costs and benefits of a project to help determine the appropriate level of incentives to offer.
Maps
Mapping data can be useful in visualizing your data. Maps can be useful in comparing and analyzing sites, locations, areas, or markets. Using ArcGIS software, DISC can create thematic, satellite, and street maps that can be used in your documents, presentations, reports, applications, and plans. Large, full color maps can also be printed and mounted to show the impact of your project or organization.
Experience
DISC has worked with hundreds of clients in the public and private sector. Real estate professionals, engineers, governments, investors, economic development officials, developers, consultants, bankers, attorneys, planners, politicians, entrepreneurs, and grant writers had used DISC for their data and information needs.