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.
State of Northwest Arkansas Region Report Release
and Quarterly Business Analysis
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 eighth annual State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report.
The 2018 State of the Region Report was released on September 25, during a 90-minute luncheon program at the Northwest Arkansas Board of Realtors Event Center at 314 N. Goad Springs Road in Lowell. Attendees arrived at 11:00 a.m. for networking and registration.
Ross DeVol, a fellow of the Walton Family Foundation focused on research into policies related
to economic vitality of Northwest Arkansas and America's heartland; Nelson Peacock, president and chief executive officer, Northwest Arkansas Council; and economist
Mervin Jebaraj, director of the university's Center for Business and Economic Research presented
economic analysis, data and information. Peacock presented the Greater Northwest Arkansas
Development Strategy, a plan outlining the Northwest Arkansas Council's pursuits over
the next three years. DeVol focused on the importance of education and knowledge in
metropolitan growth, talk about universities that excel in technology transfer, describing
Utah's success, spurred by decisions to expand science and technology investment made
nearly 20 years ago. Jebaraj focused on economic highlights in the State of the Northwest
Arkansas Region Report as well as economic data and statistics from the Center for
Business and Economic Research's Quarterly Business Analysis. The State of the Northwest
Arkansas Region Report is widely viewed as one of the best measures of performances
comparing peer regions such as Madison, Wisconsin; Raleigh, North Carolina; Provo,
Utah; Des Moines, Iowa; and Austin, Texas.
View 2018 State of the Region Report
Individual tickets are $45 each with the option to purchase a table of eight. Pre-registration is required. The deadline for registration is Friday, September 21. Reservations can be made for the luncheon at http://cber.uark.edu/ or by calling 479-575-4151.
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. The program took place from 11:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Fayetteville, 1325 North Palak Drive.
Speaker Mervin Jebaraj took an indepth look at 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. "Even in a growing economy, changes in policy and a daily flow of new information can shift the economic outlook," Jebaraj said. 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 $45.
Event filled to 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.
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
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View Staff ListingOur Center in the News
- Arkansas Online: Black Friday remains a thing, but not as big
- Arkansas Business: Farmers without borders-Arkansas exporters applaud USMCA, Trump's 'new NAFTA'
- Talk Business & Politics: Downtown truck traffic study on agenda for Fort Smith Board meeting
- NWAOnline: State home sales sink in September
- Talk Business & Politics: Panel: More could be done to build on momentum in Fort Smith
- KUAF: State unemployment still low, workforce continues to shrink
- Arkansas State University-Public now: Jebaraj to serve on national economics board
- Arkansas State University-Public now: UA economist notes that jobs report shows exodus of younger workers
- Walton Today-University of Arkansas: Jebaraj to serve on national economics board
- Times Record: Leaders, economist discuss future of downtown Fort Smith
- Arkansas Money and Politics: Jebaraj to Serve on National Economics Board
- KASU:UA economist notes that jobs report shows exodus of younger workers
- As-it happens update: Mervin Jebaraj
- University of Arkansas Newswire: Jebaraj to Serve on National Economics Board
- NWAOnline: Fayetteville reviewing design standards for new subdivisions
- Talk Business and Politics: UA economist notes that jobs report shows exodus of younger workers
- NWAOnline: State jobless rate hits record low 3.5
- ArkansasOnline: State jobless rate hits record low 3.5%
- Arkansas Business: Skyline Report: Homes prices rise, lot supply remains low
- Arkansas Online: Central region of nation is growing
- NWAOnline: South Fayetteville neighborhood seeing new patterns take shape
- ArkansasOnline: On the rise, Growth in housing costs spark affordability fears
- NWAOnline: Businesses filling out final area of Pleasant Crossing in Rogers
- Arkansas Business: NWA home prices up, lots scarce, report says
- ArkansasOnline: NW Arkansas apartments going up; vacancies to rise
- KUAF: Home prices hit record highs, multifamily vacancy rate remains low in Northwest Arkansas
- Talk Business & Politics: Home prices rise, multifamily vacancy rate falls in Northwest Arkansas
- ArkansasOnline: Region's real estate prices soar, report says
- Arkansas Business: Skyline Report: Home prices rise, lot supply remains low
- Arkansas Business- The Skyline Report
- NWAOnline: NW Arkansas real estate prices soar
- NWAOnline: August home sales in state reach record 3647
- KAUF: State of NWA Report Examines Housing Market, Transportation, Business Growth in 2018
- KATV: NWA Population growth about 70 percent in-migration, economist says
- Talk Business & Politics: Economist: 70 percent of Northwest Arkansas growth is in-migration
- Talk Business & Politics: As it happens: Mervin Jebaraj 9.30.2018
- Talk Business & Politics: Sales tax revenue continues upward trend in Northwest Arkansas' four largest cities
- NWA Council: Report: NWA makes solid advances in its number of businesses
- NWAOnline: Housing costs outstrip income in region
- NWA Council: Comprehensive Reports
- nwahomepage.com: State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report Released
- KNWA: State of Northwest Arkansas Region Report Released
- University of Arkansas: State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report to be released Sept. 25
- NWA Council: State of Northwest Arkansas Regio Report to be shared Sept 25
- Talk Business & Politics: Report shows more research funding a need in Northwest Arkansas
- KNWA: Numbers of homes being built in Fayetteville up 53% this year
- ArkansasOnline: Housing costs outstrip income in region
- NWAOnline: State's August jobless rate at 3.6%
- NWAOnline: Census figures show drop in state poverty
- KUAR: Fayetteville Shale assets sold off, fracking still on hold
- ArkansasOnline: Census figures show drop in state poverty
- Talk Business & Politics: Fayetteville leads region in home-building activity
- WalletHub: September 2018 Fed Rate Hike Probability & Analysis
- Talk Business & Politics:Uptown Fayetteville residential units sold for $55.6 million
- Arkansas Money & Politics: Startup Crawl – Crawling through the startup city of the south
- Talk Business & Politics: Economist: Business investment spending is key to wage growth
View Archive
New & Noteworthy
Jebaraj to Serve on National Economics Board
Mervin Jebaraj has been elected to serve on the board for the Association for University Business and Economic Research
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 to Serve on National Economics Board
Mervin Jebaraj has been elected to serve on the board for the Association for University Business and Economic Research
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.
