The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) was established in the UMD School of Business and Economics in 1961. The Bureau has three major functions:

• BBER collects, analyzes and disseminates information regarding the economy of Duluth, Northeast Minnesota and the State of Minnesota;
• BBER provides specific research to identify economic problems and opportunities in Minnesota;
• and BBER is a catalyst to generate research from faculty, staff and students within the School.

The Bureau of Business & Economic Research is funded by a special appropriation of theMinnesota Legislature, private contracts and research grants.

BBER FUNDED RESEARCH recently completed (Acrobat pdf files and project links)

"2006 Economic Outlook" presentation slides audio (mp3)

BBER FUNDED RESEARCH in-progress includes:

• Economic Impacts of PolyMet’s NorthMet Project and other Industrial Projects of Minnesota’s East Iron Range Communities. Funder: Short Eliot Hendrickson.
• Alternatives to Petroleum Based Fuels for Marine Vessels/ Economic Analysis. Funder: Great Lakes Maritime Research Institute
• Duluth Farmers' Market Business Plan 2005. Funder: Northeast Minnesota Sustainable Development Partnership.

BBER Publications:

• Arrowhead Business Advisor (Budgeteer) - selected archive in Acrobat pdf format
• ENTER (Duluth News Tribune) - selected inserts in Acrobat pdf format
• BBER Working Papers Catalogue of Working Papers - Acrobat pdf files available on request.
• Local Economy (includes Retail Sales Index)

For Students:

• Student Information about the BBER
• Downloads

Contact Information

Telephone: 218-726-8614
FAX: 218-726-6555

Postal address:

19 School of Business and Economics
412 Library Drive
Duluth, MN 55812-2496

Electronic mail:

Jim Skurla, Acting Director jskurla@d.umn.edu
Jean Jacobson, Editor jjacobs1@d.umn.edu
Vickie Almquist-Minko, Principal Secretary valmquis@d.umn.edu