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.
Quarterly Business Analysis
The program builds networks of leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors in the region while addressing business highlights of the previous quarter, key economic trends and projections and immediate and long-term issues facing the regional and state economy.
Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, presented the regular Quarterly Business Analysis on Thursday, May 24, 2018.
Networking and registration began at 11:00 am and the program is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Fayetteville, 1325 North Palak Drive.
"The program will took a look at new economic data, tax cuts, tariffs, interest rate adjustments and other factors and at their effect on short-term and long-term growth for the nation, Arkansas and the region," Jebaraj said. "Even in a growing economy, changes in policy and a daily flow of new information can shift the economic outlook." The program also took a deep dive into what kind of pressure Northwest Arkansas' growing population is putting on affordable housing in the region.
Registration Information:
The cost for the Quarterly Business Analysis program and luncheon is $40.
Preregistration by Friday, May 18, is required. Reservations can be made for the luncheon here or call 479-575-4151.
Event is at Capacity
Business Forecast 2018
Program
2018 Business Forecast Luncheon Program
Presentations
Mervin Jebaraj, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research
Michael Milken, Chairman of the Milken Institute
The 24th Annual Business Forecast Luncheon was held on January 26, 2018 from 11:30
am to 1:30 pm at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers, Arkansas. The luncheon
brings national and international experts to discuss the economic outlook for Arkansas,
the nation, and the world. The sold out event had over 1,100 in attendance, focusing
on current and future trends in the economy. Mervin Jebaraj presented the economic
outlook for the state and highlighted challenges and opportunities for Arkansas and
Northwest Arkansas. Milken Institute Chairman, Michael Milken, was the keynote and
spoke about rebuilding the American dream. Ross DeVol, Walton Fellow and former chief
research officer for the Milken Institute, moderated a question-and-answer session
with Milken following his speech.
2017 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report
The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business
at the University of Arkansas, in collaboration with the Northwest Arkansas Council,
released the seventh annual State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report on Oct.
3, 2017. The report was released during the luncheon program at the Northwest Arkansas
Board of Realtors Event Center at 314 N. Goad Springs Road in Lowell. Speakers at
the event included Nelson Peacock, the Northwest Arkansas Council's new president
and CEO, and University of Arkansas economist Mervin Jebaraj, interim director of
the U of A's Center for Business and Economic Research, and University of Arkansas
Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz, the Northwest Arkansas Council's presiding co-chair.
Nelson Peacock, president and CEO since July 2017, discussed the council's regional
goals and addressed the need to expand efforts to attract federal funding for basic
research to enhance support for local entrepreneurs helping grow and diversify the
region's economy. Jebaraj outlined the economic highlights in the report, as well
as economic data and statistics from the Center for Business and Economic Research's
Quarterly Business Analysis. For additional information about the report and the center,
please contact us at cber@uark.edu or 479-575-4151.
Recent Research
- Results from the 2018-19 Survey of the Labor Market for New PhDs in Economics (January 2018)
- State of the Region Report (October 2017)
- 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: Don't bet on it: Impact in Arkansas of legalized sports gambling unclear
- Talk Business & Politics: Randolph County residents will likely vote on alcohol sales in November
- Arkansas Money & Politics: Tariffs & Arkansas trade
- KARK.com: Conflicted opinions over $12 billion farming bailout
- Talk Business and Politics: UA Walton College economist Mervin Jebaraj analyzes the data surrounding GOP tax cuts and their impact on the data surrounding GOP tax cuts and their impact on the economy, Mervin Jebaraj 7.29.2018
- Talk Business & Politics: Corporations benefitting from tax cuts, wages flat and consumer spending affected by higher costs
- nwahomepage.com: Conflicted opinions over $12 billion farming bailout
- NWAOnline: State's 3.8 percent jobless rate hanging on for fifth-straight month
- ArkansasOnline: Chinese AC maker buys Springdale firm
- ArkansasOnline: UA to retain post on economic efforts
- KNWA News: Arkansas could be affected by Chinese tariffs
- Roby Brock interview: Economist Mervi Jebaraj discusses tariffs, trade, deficit growth and personal income data.
- KASU: Economist Mervin Jebaraj on tariffs and trade
- Talk Business & Politics: June sales tax revenue jumps 10.6% across Northwest Arkansas
- Southern Political Reort: Arkansas: Gov. Hutchinson favored; US Rep. Hill in close race
- Talk Business & Politics: June sales tax revenue jumps 10.6% across Northwest Arkansas
- ArkansasOnline: Arkansas more diverse, older in census data; migration to urban areas continues
- Talk Business & Politics: June sales tax revenue jumps 10.6% across Northwest Arkansas
- Arkansas Business: Springdale hopes to maintain new momentum downtown
- WNIN Tri State Public Media, Inc. For Arkansas soybean growers, tariff troubles one of many
- UALR Pulbic Radio: For Arkansas soybean growers, tariff troubles one of many
- NWAOnline: Arkansas more diverse, older in census data; migration to urban areas continues
- NWAOnline: Guest commentary: Northwest Arkansas can shape housing future with bold action-Growth puts pressures on affordability
- ArkansasOnline: State's jobless rate stays 3.8% in May
- AETN: Arkansas week June 8, 2018
- NWAOnline: Local residents call for more affordable, connected, diverse housing
- Talk Business & Politics: The Supply Side: Suppliers' presence in Northwest Arkansas created real estate boom
- TalkBusiness & Politics: Springdale summit to focus on vision for downtown development
- NWAhomepage.com: WEB EXTRA: Combating rising housing prices in NWA
- ArkansasOnline: April housing sales rise 4.5% in state
- NWAOnline: Guest commentary: Northwest Arkansas can shape housing future with bold action
- NWAOnline: Local residents call for more affordable, connected, diverse housing
- ArkansasOnline: State's jobless rate stays 3.8% in May
- ArkansasOnline: Food-delivery services making big gains, including in Arkansas
- Arkansas Week:Arkansas weeks tariffs and trades June 8,2018
- Talk Business on KASU: Economist Mervin Jebaraj on shifting Arkansas economy & population
- Talk Business & Politics: Gov. Hutchinson, Arkansas industry officials concerned about new Trump trade tariffs
- NWAOnline: Doug Thompson: Growth vs. decline the state's biggest change goes on
- ArkansasOnline: Memphis overflow into Arkansas slim; river a barrier to suburban growth
- Talk Business & Politics: Farm income contributing to volatility in state GDP
- Talk Business & Politics: New Census research planned on earnings outcomes for college grads
- NWAOnline: Cities face challenges of multifamily housing
- NWAOnline Morning Update: Cities face challenges of multifamily housing
- NWAOnline: Housing obstacles challenge homeless
- The Wall Street Journal: Walmarts hometown has become a mecca for luxury home buyers
- UA Walton College economist Mervin Jebaraj explains what's at work in the Arkansas economy, including GDP, population shifts, and the farm bill
- ArkansasOnline: Arkansas' towns fade as suburbs flourish; census data show metro-area growth
- ArkansasOnline: State's job growth seen as slowing
- Talk Business & Politics: Washington County ranks18th nationally in wage growth wages statewide up 2.5%
- Talk Business & Politics: Northwest Arkansas economy grows despite workforce challenges, housing costs
- NWAOnline: Housing initiative concludes with design competition in Bentonville
- ArkansasOnline: State jobless rate holds at 3.8%
- Arkansas Business: NAFTA talks don't panic PAM Transport
- ArkansasOnline: Tyson's $850M will buy renderer
- University of Arkansas Newswire: Housing NWA professional design competition winners announced
- ArkansasOnline: BEA: Arkansas sees 36th ranking in 2017 GDP growth despite fourth quarter momentum
- ArkansasOnline: In Arkansas, housing sales fall
- Arkansas Business: Residential lots scarce as NWA draws a crowd
View Archive
New & Noteworthy
Quarterly Business Analysis Luncheon Set for May 24 in Fayetteville
Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, will present the regular Quarterly Business Analysis on Thursday, May 24.
Jebaraj Named Director of Center for Business and Economic Research
Mervin Jebaraj has been named director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas following a national search. His new role begins effective Jan. 1.
Jebaraj Named Employee of the Second Quarter by Walton College
Mervin Jebaraj, assistant director in the Center for Business and Economic Research, has been named employee of the second quarter by the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
Quarterly Business Analysis Luncheon Set for May 24 in Fayetteville
Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, will present the regular Quarterly Business Analysis on Thursday, May 24.
Jebaraj Named Director of Center for Business and Economic Research
Mervin Jebaraj has been named director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas following a national search. His new role begins effective Jan. 1.
Jebaraj Named Employee of the Second Quarter by Walton College
Mervin Jebaraj, assistant director in the Center for Business and Economic Research, has been named employee of the second quarter by the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
