# National Establishment Time-Series (NETS) Database
## Introduction to the NETS Database
The National Establishment Time-Series (NETS) Database is a comprehensive longitudinal business database that tracks the evolution of establishments and firms across the United States. Developed by Walls & Associates, this powerful resource provides researchers, policymakers, and business analysts with detailed information about business establishments over time.
Unlike static business directories, the NETS Database offers a dynamic view of the business landscape, capturing changes in employment, sales, location, and industry classification for millions of establishments annually. This temporal dimension makes it particularly valuable for economic research and regional analysis.
## Key Features of NETS
The NETS Database stands out for several important features:
– Longitudinal tracking of establishments since 1990
– Coverage of all industry sectors
– Annual updates with historical revisions
– Geographic detail down to street address level
– Linkage between establishments and parent companies
– Employment and sales data for most establishments
## Applications of the NETS Data
Researchers and analysts use the NETS Database for various purposes:
### Economic Development Studies
Economic development professionals utilize NETS to analyze business growth patterns, identify emerging industries, and evaluate the effectiveness of economic policies. The time-series nature of the data allows for before-and-after comparisons of policy interventions.
### Business Location Analysis
Companies considering expansion or relocation can use NETS to examine historical trends in specific regions, including competitor movements, workforce availability, and industry clustering patterns.
### Academic Research
Economists, geographers, and urban planners employ NETS data to study topics such as:
– Job creation and destruction dynamics
– Business survival rates
– Regional economic resilience
– Industry life cycles
– Spatial patterns of economic activity
## Data Sources and Methodology
The NETS Database is constructed from Dun & Bradstreet’s DUNS Market Identifier file, which is enhanced and validated through multiple processes:
– Address standardization and geocoding
– Industry code verification and updating
– Employment and sales estimation for missing values
– Establishment linkage over time
– Quality control checks
This rigorous methodology ensures data consistency and reliability for longitudinal analysis.
## Accessing the NETS Database
The NETS Database is available through several channels:
– Direct licensing from Walls & Associates
– University research centers and libraries
– Government agencies with special agreements
– Commercial data vendors offering subsets of the data
Access typically requires a paid license, though some academic institutions may provide limited access to researchers. The database is available in various formats to suit different analytical needs.
## Limitations and Considerations
While powerful, the NETS Database has some limitations users should consider:
– Coverage may vary by industry and region
– Some small businesses may be underrepresented
– Data estimates are used when exact figures aren’t available
– Historical revisions may affect time-series consistency
– Privacy protections limit some detailed information
Proper understanding of these limitations is essential for appropriate use and interpretation of the data.
## Future Developments
The NETS Database continues to evolve with enhancements such as:
– Expanded historical coverage
– Improved geospatial capabilities
– Enhanced industry classification alignment
– Better integration with other economic datasets
– More frequent updates in some versions
These ongoing improvements ensure the database remains a vital resource for understanding the dynamic U.S. business landscape.
