State of Northwest Arkansas Region, Business Analysis Set for Oct. 27

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Mervin Jebaraj, director of the Center for Economic and Business Research, shares economic highlights for the state. (May 2018)

The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the U of A, in collaboration with the Northwest Arkansas Council, will release the 10th yearly State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report on Oct. 27.

The State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report, first published in 2011, will be shared during a Zoom webinar beginning at 11:30 a.m. Registration in advance is required for the event. 

Register at the Center for Business and Economic Research homepage.

Mervin Jebaraj, the center's director, will outline the economic highlights in the State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report and will report on economic data and insights regarding regional housing affordability and the continued impacts of the pandemic. 

The State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report is viewed as one of the best measures of the area's economy, comparing that to peer regions such as Madison, Wisconsin; Raleigh, North Carolina; Provo-Orem, Utah; Des Moines, Iowa; and Austin, Texas.

Northwest Arkansas Council President and Chief Executive Officer Nelson Peacock will give an update on efforts of the workforce housing center announced earlier this year to address housing affordability in the region. Through unique collaboration with community partners, the center is working to develop a strategic plan specific to housing needs and priorities. It will promote housing development in proximity to job centers, lifestyle amenities, downtowns, bus stops, and bicycle and pedestrian trails.

The deadline for pre-registration is Tuesday, Oct. 26. Register at http://cber.uark.edu/. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the top 3% of U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research News. 

About the Northwest Arkansas Council: Founded in 1990 by Sam Walton, J.B. Hunt, Don Tyson and several other business leaders, the Northwest Arkansas Council serves as a regional convener for economic and community initiatives. The Council excels at identifying challenges and championing solutions to enhance the prosperity of the Northwest Arkansas region. Key initiatives include work to advance quality of life, attract talent, improve the region's workforce, create job opportunities, upgrade infrastructure and keep up with the region's impressive growth. For more information, visit www.nwacouncil.org.