README.DOC

Although the write tab on this disk is set for read only, users are advised 
to make at least one backup copy of the disk before using it.  

The primary purpose for this disk is to present EACODES.FIN--the codes/names 
file that emerged from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) definition of a 
new set of BEA Economic Areas. The files on this disk also include a variety 
of background documentation and map files for the new Economic Areas.  This 
work was completed in February 1995, and was presented in the February, 1995
Survey of Current Business and in the March 10, 1995 Federal Register.  The 
text from these and interim articles are included in files on this disk.  
They and map files provide program and technical background for the 
redefinition processes used to create EACODES.FIN.

With the exception of two large map files which are compressed into self-
extracting executable files, all of the files may be printed directly and are
useable in most data-processing applications.  Uncompressed map files have a 
"PostScript" extension (.PS) and generally are not readily useable by a wide 
variety of applications.  The two PostScript-type map files provided here
can be copied directly to any PostScript-capable printer to produce the maps
that accompanied the final article in the Survey of Current Business.  If 
access to such a printer is not available, users may find it necessary to 
review the maps published with the article.  Alternatively, the data in 
EACODES.FIN can be used to produce maps with available commercial mapping 
software. 

The following files are included on this disk:

README.DOC--This documentation file.

EACODES.FMT--Format (layout) information for the file EACODES.FIN.  Included
             also are discussions of the individual fields in EACODES.FIN 
             with detailed discussion of the county assignment codes used in 
             developing the new economic areas.

EACODES.FIN--The main code file.  It includes county, metro area, component 
             economic area, and economic area codes for each county, and 
             alphabetic names for all counties, component economic areas, and
             economic areas.

FEDREG1.TXT--The Federal Register Notice (March 9, 1993) announcing BEA's 
             intent to revise the economic area boundaries.

FEDREG2.TXT--The Federal Register Notice (November 7, 1994) proposing a set of 
             174 preliminary BEA economic areas.

FEDREG3.TXT--The Federal Register Notice (March 10, 1995) presenting the final 
             set of 172 new BEA economic areas.

SCBFEB95.TXT--The text from an article in the February, 1995 Survey of Current
              Business presenting the final set of 172 new BEA economic areas.

WESTCNTY.EXE--A self-extracting, executable file that generates a PostScript 
              map file (WESTCNTY.PS) with county and economic area boundaries 
              for the western United States. (Published in the Survey of 
              Current Business, February, 1995.)

EASTCNTY.EXE--A self-extracting, executable file that generates a PostScript 
              map file (EASTCNTY.PS) with county and economic area boundaries 
              for the eastern United States.  (Published in the Survey of 
              Current Business, February, 1995.)

           
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These files were prepared by:

U.S. Department of Commerce 
Bureau of Economic Analysis  
Regional Economic Analysis Division
Washington,  DC  20230

Contact Kenneth Johnson at the above address or at (202) 606-9219 if any 
questions arise regarding the use of this information.  Internet E-mail
may be sent to kenneth.johnson@bea.doc.gov.

To order a copy of this disk, specify BEA Accession Number 61-95-40-101 and
send a check or money order for $20 payable to "Bureau of Economic Analysis"
to Public Information Office, Order Desk, BE-53, Bureau of Economic Analysis,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC  20230.  For further information,
or to order using MasterCard or Visa, call (202) 606-3700.