Up-to-date economic data and analysis is critical to keep community leaders, citizens, and business professionals informed about the local economy. The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) gathers economic information on West Central Texas and conducts specialized analyses for the region. Additionally, we point visitors to regional business development services.

The Center is directed by Monty Lynn, Professor of Management at Abilene Christian University (click the Contact link for more information). In addition to university staff and several community residents throughout West Central Texas, students and associates assisting with the site include: Justin Howland, Garret Hamby, Forrest Oswald, Kelly Hasseltine, Jeremiah Glover, and Jennifer King.

Where is West Central Texas?

We use the Texas Workforce Commission’s boundaries for our region, which includes 19 counties: Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Kent, Knox, Mitchell, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Stephens, Stonewall, Taylor, and Throckmorton.  The region is about 180 miles wide and the same distance in length, situated in Western Texas between the cities of Fort Worth, Lubbock, Wichita Falls, and San Angelo.

How is CBER funded?

We appreciate receiving research funding from the Development Corporation of Abilene, the Workforce Development Board of West Central Texas, and Abilene Christian University. We also work closely with the Texas Midwest Community Network (TMCN). The Web site is offered as a community service by the College of Business Administration at Abilene Christian University.