Center for Business & Economic Research
Located in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, the Center provides applied economic and business research to federal, state, and local government, as well as to businesses currently operating or those that desire to operate in the state of Arkansas. The Center further works to improve the economic opportunities of all Arkansans by conducting policy research in the public interest. Learn more...
Jebaraj leads CBER economic update
Quarterly Business Analysis Luncheon
The Center for for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas presented the regular Quarterly Business Analysis at a luncheon event. The event was at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fayetteville, 1325 North Palak Drive on May 23, 2017. Mervin Jebaraj, interim director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, presented the latest economic information about the Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas economies to community leaders from the region. The program highlighted new economic data on GDP growth, unemployment rates, personal income, and population estimates and analyzed the underlying trends that will affect the economic expansion in the state and region over the near term. The presentation also focused on new data available and the contributions of arts and culture to the Arkansas economy.
The Quarterly Business Analysis program builds networks of 
leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors in the region while addressing
key economic trends and immediate and long-term issues facing the regional and state
economy. The program typically lasts for approximately 60 minutes, including time
for questions and answers. The cost for the program and luncheon is $40. For more
information please contact the Center for Business and Economic Research at (479)
575-4151.
2016 State of the Region Report
Kathy Deck, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, and Mike Harvey, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Northwest Arkansas Council, spoke about regional economic trends and issues the Northwest Arkansas Region and the surrounding areas at the Quarterly Business Analysis Luncheon.
Recent Research
- Results from the 2017-18 Survey of the Labor Market for New PhDs in Economics (January 2017)
- Estimating the Demand for and Supply of Early Childhood Education in Northwest Arkansas (September 2016)
- Examining the Status of African Americans and Hispanics in Arkansas (September 2016)
- Economic Impact of the Clean Line in Arkansas (November 2015)
- 2015 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report (October 2015)
- The Economic Impact of the University of Arkansas (February 2015)
- Results from the 2016-17 Survey of the Labor Market for New PhDs in Economics (January 2016)
- 2014 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report (October 2014)
- Arvest Consumer Sentiment Survey (June 2014)
- Economic Impact of Legalizing Retail Alcohol Sales in Craighead, Faulkner, and Saline Counties (May 2014)
- Visitor Spending at the 2013 Bikes, Blues & BBQ Festival (January 2014)
- Economic Impact of University of Arkansas Athletics (October 2012)
- Revisiting the Economic Impact of the Fayetteville Shale (May 2012)
Economic Data
Find economic statistics from national, Arkansas, and specific metropolitan areas.
View the DataOur Staff
Do you wish to contact someone from the Center for Business and Economic Research?
View Staff ListingOur Center in the News
- Talk Business & Politics: State's expanding labor pool still has room to grow, experts say
- NWAOnline: Low unemployment in Northwest Arkansas falls lower still
- KNWA: Local businesses seeing benefits of growing population
- Talk Business & Politics: Car-Mart doesn't expect negative impact from new car dealer's move to expand used cars
- 40/29tv.com: Economic expert says Walmart will likely focus on E-Commerce to compete with Amazon
- Talk Business & Politics: Northwest Arkansas sales tax revenue rebounds in May report, rising 8.9%
- Talk Business & Politics: Population growth strongest in Northwest Arkansas cities, Little Rock and Fort Smith see small gains
- Talk Business & Politics: Economist provides update on state, national economies, says Northwest Arkansas economy resilient
- ArkansasOnline: Northwest Arkansas economy stays healthy through April, analysis finds
- ArkansasOnline: Stalled subdivisions come back from recession woes
- ArkansasOnline: PHOTOS: After 43 years, landmark Arkansas eatery to close
- ArkansasOnline: State jobless rate dips to 3.5%, U.S. says
- Talk Business and Politics: Jebaraj to lead CBER quarterly economic update
- ArkansasOnline: State's February home sales dip
- Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette:State jobless rate falls to record low of 3.6%
- Talk Business and Politics: Economist say job market looks good for spring 2017 undergraduates
- Arkansas Business: Report: Commercial real estate absorption quickens in NWA
- ArkansasOnline: News in brief Windstream to buy N.Y. firm for $227M
- Times Record: Baldor-ABB presents manufacturing award to U.S. Rep. Steve Womack
- NWAOnline: Interstate 49 land in Rogers rezoned and ready to sell
- NWAOnline: Homes for sale in U.S. near 20-year low; In Little Rock metro area, February tally down 8.7% from 2012
- Talk Business & Politic: Jebaraj to lead CBER quarterly economic update
- KNWA: US missile attack could make an economic impact in AR
- NWAOnline : For 2nd time this year, Wal-Mart cuts workers in Arkansas
- KNWA: Online shopping creates new challenges for brick and mortar
- Arkansas Business: Experts predict breakout companies in Arkansas will be digital
- NWAOnline: Benton County liquor sales strong
- NWAOnline: Hispanic, Marshallese jobs begin shift from few industries to many
- NWAOnline: Commercial property vacancy rates show decline
- NWAOnline: Business, health leaders join, seek to grow quality health care in Northwest Arkansas
- NWAOnline: Developers optimistic about apartment market through 2020
- NWAOnline: NWA residential real estate market sizzles
- NWAOnline: Region's speedy population growth looks to continue to 2020, led by Hispanics
- NWAOnline: Local food, restaurants and brews give Northwest Arkansas unique flavor
- NWAOnline: Northwest Arkansas' biggest employers provide stability, potential for growth
- ArkansasOnline: State's jobless rate again at record low
- ArkansasOnline: Northwest Arkansas clocks in at No. 22 for fast-growing U.S. metro areas
- NWAOnline: NWA editorial: Thursday thumbs-Downturned digits in unusually ample supply
- ArkansasOnline: Northwest Arkansas clocks in at No. 22 for
- NWAOnline: Northwest Arkansas 22nd fastest growing metro area in U.S., according to census
- Talk Business and Politics: UA students, rapid growth among causes for rental rise in Northwest Arkansas
- NWAOnline: Arkansas' unemployment rate drops to 3.9%
- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette NW: Walmart adding 10,000 retail jobs
- University of Arkansas News: Jebaraj Named Employee of the Second Quarter by Walton College
- UA News: Interim Director Named for Center for Business and Economic Research
- University of Arkansas News: Interim Director Named for Center for Business and Economic Research
View Archive
New & Noteworthy
State of NWA Region Report, Quarterly Business Analysis Set for Sept. 30
Speakers for the event include Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the Northwest Arkansas Council, and University of Arkansas economist Kathy Deck, director of the university’s Center for Business and Economic Research.
Kathy Deck Joins St. Louis Fed’s Real Estate Industry Council
Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, has been named to the Real Estate Industry Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Experts Set to Discuss Economy at 22nd Business Forecast Luncheon
Regional, national and international experts will discuss the economic outlook for Arkansas, the nation and the world at the 22nd annual Business Forecast luncheon.
State of NWA Region Report, Quarterly Business Analysis Set for Sept. 30
Speakers for the event include Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the Northwest Arkansas Council, and University of Arkansas economist Kathy Deck, director of the university’s Center for Business and Economic Research.
Kathy Deck Joins St. Louis Fed’s Real Estate Industry Council
Kathy Deck, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, has been named to the Real Estate Industry Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
Experts Set to Discuss Economy at 22nd Business Forecast Luncheon
Regional, national and international experts will discuss the economic outlook for Arkansas, the nation and the world at the 22nd annual Business Forecast luncheon.
