The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is hosting a statewide business and economic discussion on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Via videoconferencing, the Arkansas Economic Breakfast Series links seven locations throughout the state of Arkansas and provides an interactive setting for learning about the latest economic trends that affect businesses in the state.

The northwest Arkansas breakfast program will be held from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on the University of Arkansas campus. There is a $20 fee, and reservations are required by Sept. 28. Reservations for any of the seven locations can be made at https://www.arkansasbusiness.com/iea_register.asp Questions or reservations for the northwest Arkansas event can be directed to 479-575-4151 or e-mailed to cber@uark.edu.

Gov. Mike Beebe will kick off the two-hour conference, which will include a panel of statewide economic experts providing insights about the functioning of the Arkansas economy and how the regional economies within the state contribute to the overall economic picture. The panel of experts includes Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Walton College; Alan McVey, director of the Delta Center for Economic Development at Arkansas State University; and Michael Pakko, chief economist and state economic forecaster for the Institute for Economic Advancement in Little Rock. After the panel discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to participate in conversations about unique local and regional economic opportunities and challenges.
Kathy Deck will act as host and facilitator at the northwest Arkansas event. "The Center for Business and Economic Research is thrilled to be a part of this statewide economic development initiative. Bringing Arkansans from around the state together to hear good information about our common economic challenges and opportunities will promote prosperity," said Deck.

The Arkansas Economic Issues Breakfast Series, which is sponsored by Arkansas Business, is coordinated by the Institute for Economic Advancement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in cooperation with the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Walton College, the College of Business at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, the Delta Center for Economic Development at Arkansas State University, the Economic Research and Development Center at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and Southern Arkansas University.

Deck added, "We are grateful to Arkansas Business for helping us promote this effort to find ways to work together for the betterment of the state."

CONTACTS:

Kathy Deck, director, Center for Business and Economic Research
Sam M. Walton College of Business
479-575-4151, kdeck@walton.uark.edu

Dixie Kline, director of communications
Sam M. Walton College of Business
479-575-2539, dkline@walton.uark.edu