Research Matters – C2ER/LMI Institute July 16, 2026

Research Matters - Bi-Weekly Update

July 16, 2026 | Diana Romero

July 16, 2026

<!–

Features

<!–

<!–

C2ER’s Cost of Living Index Featured in The Economist

<!–

<!–

We’re excited to share that C2ER’s Cost of Living Index was recently featured in The Economist, in a piece marking America’s 250th anniversary by calculating the cost of a 4th of July cookout across the country.

The Economist built its own “summer BBQ Index,” tracking ten cookout staples in 25 American cities, using prices gathered by the Council for Community and Economic Research and comparing basket costs to median hourly wages in each metro area. They found the basket now averages $81, 12% more than a year ago, the fastest annual increase in a decade, far outpacing general grocery inflation of under 3%. The piece also digs into the drivers behind the jump: a national cattle herd at a 75-year low, biofuel mandates diverting corn and soy from food markets, rising fertilizer costs, and new tariffs on aluminum and packaging.

<!–

You can read the full article here: How Much Will a 4th of July Cookout Cost This Year?

This kind of national recognition is a great reminder of the value and reach of the Cost of Living Index, and of the work our member network makes possible. Thank you for being part of it!

If you’d like to help spread the word, feel free to share on LinkedIn or with your own networks, every mention helps raise the profile of the data you help support.

<!–

News & Reports

<!–

<!–

Headlines

CNBC – These Are America’s 10 Most Expensive States for 2026, Where Inflation Is Punishing Residents
CNBC – The 10 Best State Economies in America in 2026
Route Fifty – California Has Started to Track AI-Related Job Loss

Reports – From Our Members

Georgia Institute of Technology – From Doubt to Dollars: Georgia Tech’s New “Digital First” Program Empowers Communities with Data Center Development Strategies
Michigan Economic Development Corporation – Benefits Greatly Exceed Costs for Michigan Battery Factories

Reports – Non-members

American College of Sports Medicine – American Fitness Index
Bureau of Economic Analysis – Activities of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Multinational Enterprises, 2024
CNBC – America’s Top States for Business 2026
Hechinger Report – As College Graduates Fret Over Finding Jobs, a Record Shortage of Workers Is Projected
NC Rural Center – Research Blog – The Rural Roots of North Carolina

<!–

<!–

Have a report you’d like to share?

<!–

<!–

ICYMI

<!–

<!–

National Skills Coalition – We Can’t Build an AI Economy Without an AI-Ready Workforce
Vox – The Most Surprising Winner of the World Cup Was American Public Transit

<!–

<!–

Data Visualization

<!–

<!–

Global Public Toilet Index

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Careers

<!–

<!–

Have an open position that might be of interest to C2ER members?

Let us post your job listing!

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Send the position title, description, and any other relevant information to Jennifer Gual.

Jobs are typically posted within 1 business day and postings remain active for 45 days if no closing date is specified.

<!–

<!–

Our Events

<!–

<!–

How to Collaborate Within Your Regional Ecosystem

July 28, 2026

2:00 PM – 3:00 ET

<!–

<!–

Communicating Your Regional Economic and Workforce Impact With Data

August 4, 2026

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET

<!–

<!–

C2ER +LMI Institute Annual Conference

June 9 – 11, 2027

Des Moines, IA

Pre-conference training June 8

<!–

<!–

More Information

<!–

<!–

More Information

<!–

<!–

Save the Date

<!–

<!–

eLearning Courses

<!–

<!–

Foundations of Economic Development Research I: Introduction to Data Sources

Any Place, Any Time

More Information

<!–

<!–

Foundations of Economic Development Research II: Introduction to Regional Analysis Methods

Any Place, Any Time

More Information

<!–

<!–

Basic LMI Analyst eLearning

Any Place, Any Time

More Information

<!–

<!–

Industry Events

<!–

<!–

Manufacturing Institute Workforce Summit

October 26 – 28, 20026

Indianapolis, IN

More Information

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

2026 UEDA Summit

December 2 – 4, 2026

Pensacola, FL

More Information

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Follow us on social media!

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–