Area leaders to issue 10th annual economic report on Northwest Arkansas

by Jeff Della Rosa ([email protected]) 560 views 

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

According to a Wednesday (Oct. 13) news release, the report, which was first published in 2011, will be shared during a Zoom webinar starting at 11:30 a.m. Registration is required to attend, and the deadline to register is Oct. 26. Link here to register.

CBER Director Mervin Jebaraj will outline the economic highlights in the report and provide economic data and insights regarding regional housing affordability and the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nelson Peacock, CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Council, will join Jebaraj to discuss economic trends and efforts to address housing affordability in the region.

Also, Peacock will give an update on the efforts of the workforce housing center announced earlier this year. The center is working to develop a strategic plan on housing needs and priorities, the release shows. It will promote housing development in proximity to job centers, lifestyle amenities, downtowns, bus stops, and bicycle and pedestrian trails.

The State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report is viewed as one of the best measures of the area’s economy, comparing it to peer regions such as Madison, Wis.; Raleigh, N.C.; Provo-Orem, Utah; Des Moines, Iowa; and Austin, Texas, according to the release.