Virtual Lunch and Learn: Data-Driven Decision Making

Session 1: Tuesday, April 15th, 11:30am-1pm

Housing Data: Unlocking Workforce Housing Needs

Alex Thomas, Ph.D., Executive Director, PLACES Institute, SUNY Oneonta

A strong understanding of housing data leads to stronger communities. SUNY Oneonta’s PLACES Institute will conduct a session exploring how data has been used to evaluate specific areas and how these approaches can be adapted across the region. Learn about key datasets, data trends, and methods for translating this information into actionable insights that guide planning efforts and investment decisions. Whether you're addressing housing shortages or planning for future growth, this session will demonstrate real-world applications of data-driven strategies to support economic and community development.

The mission of the PLACES Institute is to conduct and coordinate scientific research as a service to the Greater Oneonta community and region. The institute focuses on emerging public health, demographic, sociocultural, economic, and environmental trends, with the aim of understanding issues and crafting evidence-based, long-term systemic solutions.

Session 2: Monday, April 28th, 11:30am-1pm

Harnessing the Power of Census Data for Strategic Planning

Dr. Amy Brombos, Ed.D., Data Dissemination Specialist for NYS, US Census Bureau

Join Dr. Amy Brombos for an insightful virtual workshop on leveraging the rich data resources provided by the Census Bureau. With the wealth of surveys and data tables available through 50+ public portals, knowing where to find and how to use this information is essential for effective community planning, advocacy, and grant writing. In this session, you’ll gain a comprehensive overview of the most relevant Census tools and portals, including Data.census.gov. By the end of the session, you’ll have the knowledge to locate, save, and share critical data, empowering you to advocate for your community's needs and drive strategic, data-backed decisions.

Dr. Amy Brombos serves as the Data Dissemination Specialist for NYS. Her experience in federal service began in 2018 as the NYS Decennial Partnership Coordinator. Previously, Dr. Brombos spent two decades in academia as a Teacher, District Data Specialist, Researcher, and Professor; teaching courses in Data Use for Continuous School Improvement, Accreditation, and Strategic Planning.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Organization*

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I will attend the following session(s). Select all that apply.*

4/15/25: Housing Data: Unlocking Workforce Housing Needs4/28/25: Harnessing the Power of Census Data for Strategic PlanningI am unable to attend these sessions but would like to be informed about future sessions.

How would you describe your experience working with data?*

I have little to no experience working with dataI occasionally use data but could benefit from additional guidanceI regularly work with data but want to improve my skillsI have extensive experience working with data and use it to inform decisions regularly

Which types of data have you worked with? (Select all that apply)*

Census data (e.g., American Community Survey, Decennial Census)Housing market data (e.g., housing availability, affordability trends)Workforce and employment dataEconomic development data (e.g., business trends, investment tracking)ArcGIS Mapping ToolsOther

What types of data or data applications are you most interested in learning about? We may be able to integrate these into these or future sessions.*

If unsure write "None"

Equipping Southern Tier Communities for Data-Driven Decision Making