The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) is the applied economic research branch of the Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky. Its purpose is to disseminate economic information and provide economic and policy analysis to assist decision makers in Kentucky’s public and private sectors. CBER performs research projects for federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as for private-sector clients nationwide. The primary motivation behind CBER’s research agenda is the belief that systematic and scientific inquiries into economic phenomena yield knowledge which is indispensable to the formulation of informed public policy. Recent projects have been conducted on manpower, labor, and human resources; tourism economics; transportation economics; health economics; regulatory reform; public finance; technology use and adoption; education policy; and economic development.
History
Intially, the Kentucky Annual Economic Report, CBER's annual publication, was first released in 1972 by the Council of Economic Advisors. This five-member council was established by an executive order signed by Governor Wendell Ford in December 1970. The Council was codified by state statute in 1972, with the responsibility to “monitor the economic progress of the Commonwealth and to advise the Office of the Governor on policies and programs for achieving the Commonwealth’s full potential for economic growth.” The Office of Business Development and Government Services and the College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky acted as the secretariat, publishing various economic reports.
In 1984, the Center for Business and Economic Research assumed responsibility as the secretariat for publishing the Annual Report for the Kentucky Council of Economic Advisors. In 1986, KRS 164.738 was passed, which directs CBER to maintain state economic data and produce the annual report. With passage of this statute in 1986, the Center for Business and Economic Research, under the auspices of the Department of Economics, has assumed responsibility for the mission originally set forth in 1970.
Clients
CBER partners with government agencies and business partner to provide policy based analysis. The list below provides a snapshot of the diverse set of clients working with CBER on a broad range of topics.
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Agency for Health Policy Research, U.S.Department of Health & Human Services |  |
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Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor's Office for Policy and Management |
| Department of Employment Services, Kentucky Cabinet for Human Resources |
Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage |
Commonwealth of Kentucky, Finance and Administration Cabinet |
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Commonwealth of Kentucky, Finance and Administration Cabinet - Office of Financial Management |
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United States Department of Agriculture and Friends of the Farmers Market |
Kentucky Transportation Center |
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