EPS provides rigorous analysis and insightful solutions to address complex challenges in real estate development, land use policy, and local government finance. We are motivated by the role our work can play in shaping places where people live and we strive to create high-quality urban environments that advance the principles of diversity, resiliency, and shared prosperity.
EPS offers a wealth of experience, robust technical expertise, and the ability to offer insightful solutions to address the challenges and opportunities of urban development.
For a consortium of 50 members, including MIT, Caltech, and California State University Fullerton, EPS recently completed a comprehensive study on the economic and qualitative impacts of the proposed Cosmic Explorer observatory. This next-generation gravitational-wave facility promises to advance fundamental science and expand humanity’s understanding of the universe. Building on the first detection of gravitational waves in 2014, the development of Cosmic Explorer would enable discoveries at the frontiers of physics, including black hole mergers across cosmic time and insights into the densest matter in the universe.
Beyond its scientific promise, the EPS report documents how the observatory will likely generate significant regional economic benefits—supporting thousands of construction jobs, injecting hundreds of millions in local economic activity, and creating long-term local operational employment opportunities. In addition to its economic impact, the EPS study showed how CE is will strengthen local community partnerships, expand STEM education, support higher education institutions, and catalyze downstream technological innovation. The ultimate location of the Cosmic Explorer facilities will be identified based on locational needs and in collaboration with stakeholders in local and scientific communities. The study builds on and adds to a growing body of international economic impact analyses of operational and planned scientific research centers including the FermiLab, the Einstein Telescope, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Access the full report here or visit the Cosmic Explorer website to learn more.
View Summary Impacts of 40 km observatory.
This free webinar discussed the pros and cons and bestpractices for financing public infrastructure and services in today’s tight budgetary environment.
Full Webinar available: Unlocking Economic Growth | October 29, 2025
