A 2005 study by L. Groves. Download the pdf below.

This study focuses on the economic impacts of science centers on their local communities. It is the second phase of an international study funded by the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) and thirteen individual science centers. Part of this report introduces the topic of economic impact by including definitions of key terms, discussion of how economic impacts can be calculated— including a step-by-step guide to planning and carrying out an economic impact study—and a number of illustrative case studies. Another part of the report is devoted to presenting and analysing survey-based data from science centers and other institutions about their revenue and expenditure, their employees and their visitors. The project was guided by a steering committee consisting of the ASTC President and the executive directors of four of the regional network organisations: ASPAC, ASTC, ECSITE and Red-POP.