Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Since the 1940s, the BBER’s mission has been to serve the people of West Virginia by providing the state’s business and policymaking communities with reliable data and rigorous applied economic research and analysis that enables the state’s leaders to design better business practices and public policies.
BBER research is disseminated through policy reports and briefs, through large public forums, and through traditional academic outlets. BBER researchers are widely quoted for their insightful research in state and regional news media. The BBER’s research and education/outreach efforts to public- and private-sector leaders are typically sponsored by various government and private-sector organizations.
The BBER has research expertise in the areas of public policy, health economics, energy economics, economic development, economic impact analysis, economic forecasting, and education policy, among others. The BBER has a full-time staff of three Ph.D. economists and one master’s-level economist. This staff is augmented by Ph.D. student research assistants. BBER researchers also collaborate with faculty from within the College of Business and Economics as well as from other parts of WVU.
Please follow the nearby links where you will find full descriptions of the BBER’s research capabilities, economic outlook program, and data services. You will also find more detailed information about the Economic Outlook Conference series, as well as a database of all BBER publications, and BBER personnel biographies and contact information. Please feel free to contact any BBER staff member concerning your research needs or inquiries.
Recent Publications
- Economic Impact of the Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve on West Virginia
- Better Understanding Human Capital in West Virginia
- Natural Gas Investment in West Virginia, 2010-2016
- Economic Impact of Expanding the Morgantown Industrial Park
- The Economic Impact of the 2018 Spartan Race on the West Virginia Economy
- West Virginia Economic Outlook 2019-2023
- The Economic Impact of Apple Growing and Processing on the West Virginia Economy
- The Economic Impact of Coal in West Virginia
- Unconventional Natural Gas Industry Value Chain and Representative Companies
- Coal Production in West Virginia
View all our publications on the Research Repository
News:
- New WVU course studies regional economics while providing areas of West Virginia with economic forecasts
- WVU chief economist: West Virginia is on the rebound, but still lags behind national growth and lacks in areas of health and education outcomes
- Mountain State Business Index: West Virginia economy to see solid growth through end of 2017
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WVU researchers say construction and extractive industries will pace state economy,
northern WV to see larger growth
- Richmond Fed president Lacker to speak at state Economic Outlook Conference October 4 in Charleston
- West Virginia's public higher education institutions have $2.7 billion impact on state
- WVU coal outlook industry forecast weak in both short and long terms
- WVU coal report: Production will weaken in short term, persistent declines over next two decades