FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Business and Economic Research in the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, is partnering with the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, and the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce to host the Quarterly Business Analysis on Thursday, Feb. 2. The breakfast event, open to the public, will be held from 6:45 to 7:50 a.m. at the Holiday Inn City Center, 700 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith.

WHERE: Holiday Inn City Center, 700 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith

SPEAKER: Jeff Collins, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, will present a 30-minute program that provides statistical highlights for the third quarter of 2005, key economic trends, and short- and long-term issues facing the local and state economy. For example, recent announcements by key manufacturing companies have heightened concern for various regions in the state. In addition, there will be a discussion of the impact that recent Gulf Coast hurricanes and other current events have had on the Fort Smith regional economy. Specifically, the effects of several factors -- rising energy prices, construction costs, potential changes in long- and short-term interest rates, and demographic trends -- continue to consolidate economic activity in the state’s metropolitan areas.

The primary purpose of the Quarterly Business Analysis program is improving the dialogue between leaders from business, academic and governmental sectors in the region. “National economic trends belie underlying risk at the local level,” said Collins. “Failure to track changes in key measures of the region’s performance can have very negative consequences for stakeholders in the region.”

The cost for the Quarterly Business Analysis program and breakfast is $15. Places can be reserved online for at: http://cber.uark.edu/ or by calling (479) 575-4151. The program will last for approximately 50 minutes including time for questions and answers.