Center of Economic and Business Research
Mission
The Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) at The University of Akron strives to be the premier independent, nonpartisan resource for applied economic research for Akron, Northeast Ohio, and the state of Ohio. We provide Ohio’s citizens, business leaders, nonprofit leaders, and policymakers with relevant and timely economic and business analysis, elevating priority issues to promote the prosperity of all Ohioans. We combine innovative approaches in economics and business research with advanced statistical techniques to analyze trends that impact economic growth, business success, and quality of life in Ohio.
About Us
CEBR’s work is wide-ranging and includes:
- Tracking local, regional, and state economic conditions
- Conducting economic, business, and market research
- Providing economic impact studies and data analysis for government, business, non-profits, and the public
- Developing and providing data about the Akron MSA and Northeast Ohio economies using economic tools, such as cost-benefit analysis, to evaluate policy issues
- Serving as a resource for local, national, and international media on economic issues
Center Director
Dr. Michael Nelson is Director of the Center of Economic and Business Research, Professor Emeritus of Economics at The University of Akron, and former Chair of the Department of Economics. He has extensive expertise in applied economic impact analysis, regional economics, and community and economic development, having led contract research for numerous public and private organizations. His work includes economic impact analyses for Metro Parks Serving Summit County, Marathon Ashland Petroleum’s Canton refinery, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, as well as studies of regional industry clusters, labor markets, and economic development strategies.
Dr. Nelson has an accomplished scholarly record in public finance, state and local taxation, governance, regional economics, and economic development. He has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and monographs, with publications in leading journals such as American Economic Review, International Tax and Public Finance, Public Choice, Journal of Technology Transfer, Economic Modelling, and Journal of Regional Science. Throughout his career, he has served as a consultant to government agencies and nonprofit organizations, reviewed manuscripts for numerous academic journals, and provided expert commentary on economic and public policy issues for regional and national media.
Faculty Associates
Dr. Ali Enami is an Associate Professor of Economics at The University of Akron. His research focuses on the socioeconomic effects of fiscal policy, with publications in several peer-reviewed journals, including Regional Science and Urban Economics, Economics of Education Review, and Applied Economics Quarterly. Before joining The University of Akron in 2020, Dr. Enami was an Associate at Cornerstone Research in San Francisco, where he provided economic and statistical analysis for complex commercial litigation matters.
Dr. Sucharita Ghosh is Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics at The University of Akron. Her research examines the relationships among international trade, immigration, foreign direct investment, employment, and economic growth. She has published extensively in leading peer-reviewed journals, including the Canadian Journal of Economics, Journal of International Economics, Regional Studies, and Research Policy. Dr. Ghosh has received numerous university and college honors recognizing her excellence in teaching, research, and service. She also holds the rare distinction of being a two-time recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Research Scholar award, traveling to Italy in both 2006 and 2018 to share her expertise in international trade. Dr. Ghosh is the founder and organizer of the Ohio Economic Forum, an annual event hosted by the Department of Economics that brings together nationally recognized economists, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss issues shaping Ohio's economy. A sought-after commentator on economic issues, she is regularly featured in local and national media, providing expert analysis on global and U.S. economic trends.
Dr. Dibyajyoti Sinha is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Economics at The University of Akron with a PhD in Economics from Auburn University in 2024. His research focuses on the political economy of environmental innovation, examining how electoral competition, public opinion, and environmental policy shape the development of green technology. Dr. Sinha has also worked as a Consultant in Climate Change and Sustainability Services at Ernst & Young LLP, where he supported projects for a diverse set of clients, including the Asian Development Bank, European Union–GIZ, the Government of Norway, the Royal Government of Bhutan, and Oil India Limited. His work at EY involved applied research and data analysis on energy systems, climate resilience, migration, and sustainability reporting, with projects spanning Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and India.
- Black Chamber of Commerce - Summit County - “Economic Impact Study of Black‑Owned Businesses in Summit County”
- College of Business, University of Akron - "Economic Impact of the Latin America Institute of Business (LAIOB) Program"
CEBR’s work is wide-ranging and includes:
- Tracking local, regional, and state economic conditions
- Conducting economic, business, and market research
- Providing economic impact studies and data analysis for government, business, non-profits, and the public
- Developing and providing data about the Akron MSA and Northeast Ohio economies using economic tools, such as cost-benefit analysis, to evaluate policy issues
- Serving as a resource for local, national, and international media on economic issues
Center Director
Dr. Michael Nelson is Director of the Center of Economic and Business Research, Professor Emeritus of Economics at The University of Akron, and former Chair of the Department of Economics. He has extensive expertise in applied economic impact analysis, regional economics, and community and economic development, having led contract research for numerous public and private organizations. His work includes economic impact analyses for Metro Parks Serving Summit County, Marathon Ashland Petroleum’s Canton refinery, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, as well as studies of regional industry clusters, labor markets, and economic development strategies.
Dr. Nelson has an accomplished scholarly record in public finance, state and local taxation, governance, regional economics, and economic development. He has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and monographs, with publications in leading journals such as American Economic Review, International Tax and Public Finance, Public Choice, Journal of Technology Transfer, Economic Modelling, and Journal of Regional Science. Throughout his career, he has served as a consultant to government agencies and nonprofit organizations, reviewed manuscripts for numerous academic journals, and provided expert commentary on economic and public policy issues for regional and national media.
Faculty Associates
Dr. Ali Enami is an Associate Professor of Economics at The University of Akron. His research focuses on the socioeconomic effects of fiscal policy, with publications in several peer-reviewed journals, including Regional Science and Urban Economics, Economics of Education Review, and Applied Economics Quarterly. Before joining The University of Akron in 2020, Dr. Enami was an Associate at Cornerstone Research in San Francisco, where he provided economic and statistical analysis for complex commercial litigation matters.
Dr. Sucharita Ghosh is Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics at The University of Akron. Her research examines the relationships among international trade, immigration, foreign direct investment, employment, and economic growth. She has published extensively in leading peer-reviewed journals, including the Canadian Journal of Economics, Journal of International Economics, Regional Studies, and Research Policy. Dr. Ghosh has received numerous university and college honors recognizing her excellence in teaching, research, and service. She also holds the rare distinction of being a two-time recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Research Scholar award, traveling to Italy in both 2006 and 2018 to share her expertise in international trade. Dr. Ghosh is the founder and organizer of the Ohio Economic Forum, an annual event hosted by the Department of Economics that brings together nationally recognized economists, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss issues shaping Ohio's economy. A sought-after commentator on economic issues, she is regularly featured in local and national media, providing expert analysis on global and U.S. economic trends.
Dr. Dibyajyoti Sinha is an Assistant Professor of Instruction in Economics at The University of Akron with a PhD in Economics from Auburn University in 2024. His research focuses on the political economy of environmental innovation, examining how electoral competition, public opinion, and environmental policy shape the development of green technology. Dr. Sinha has also worked as a Consultant in Climate Change and Sustainability Services at Ernst & Young LLP, where he supported projects for a diverse set of clients, including the Asian Development Bank, European Union–GIZ, the Government of Norway, the Royal Government of Bhutan, and Oil India Limited. His work at EY involved applied research and data analysis on energy systems, climate resilience, migration, and sustainability reporting, with projects spanning Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and India.
- Black Chamber of Commerce - Summit County - “Economic Impact Study of Black‑Owned Businesses in Summit County”
- College of Business, University of Akron - "Economic Impact of the Latin America Institute of Business (LAIOB) Program"
Center Events, Press, Reports and Studies
Department of Economics Event
The Ohio Economic Forum is an annual event hosted by the Department of Economics that brings together leading economists, business executives, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the most pressing issues shaping Ohio's economy. Through keynote presentations and expert panel discussions, the Forum provides valuable insights into the economic challenges and opportunities facing Northeast Ohio and beyond.
Press
Center Associate, Dr. Sucharita Ghosh, is a sought-after commentator on economic issues, she is featured in local and national media, providing expert analysis on global and U.S. economic trends. Locally, she is a frequent guest on the Ray Horner Morning Show.
Economic Indicators
Explore key economic indicators for the nation, Ohio, and the Akron area through an interactive collection of charts and data. Track trends in employment, inflation, housing, demographics, and economic growth using reliable, up-to-date information to support planning, research, investment, and policy decisions.
Supporting the Center for Economic and Business Research
The Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) is building the premier independent source of economic research and data for Akron, Northeast Ohio, and the state of Ohio.
Our mission is straightforward: to help Ohio communities, policymakers, businesses, and nonprofit organizations better understand the economic challenges and opportunities that shape their future—and to provide the data and analysis needed to make informed decisions.
Economic conditions are changing rapidly. Communities and organizations need timely, credible information about economic performance, emerging trends, and the potential impact of policy and business decisions. CEBR meets this need by producing relevant, rigorous research grounded in economic science and real-world data. Our work elevates important issues, translates complex economic information into actionable insight, and helps decision-makers identify policies and strategies that can improve the prosperity and quality of life of Ohioans.
CEBR also serves the business and nonprofit communities by providing market and economic research that may otherwise be beyond their available staffing, resources, or technical expertise. Whether assessing a local economy, evaluating a program, understanding a market, or examining the potential impact of a policy or investment, CEBR brings independent, university-based expertise to important decisions.
The Center's work is made possible through philanthropic support and project-based revenue. CEBR receives no direct financial support from The University of Akron. An initial endowment established through the generous support of an anonymous donor provided the foundation for the Center, but continued donor support is essential to sustain and expand our activities.
Your support helps CEBR remain independent, pursue emerging economic issues, invest in high-quality research, and provide the Akron community and Ohio with an authoritative source of economic insight. It allows us to continually strive toward our vision of becoming the premier source for independent economic research on the issues that matter most to the people and communities we serve.
Contributions can be made online through The University of Akron Department of Development. We also welcome the opportunity to discuss the range of ways individuals and organizations can support the Center's mission.
For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Nelson at cebr@uakron.edu or 330-972-5414.
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