Center for Economic Research

The Cochise College Center for Economic Research (CER), founded in 1995, provides economic information, analysis and forecasting to help leaders in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors make informed decisions; provides opportunities for Cochise College students to conduct and publish research on local and regional economic issues; and educates residents of Cochise County on the local, state, and national economy through public presentations, newspaper columns, radio show appearances and social media networking.

The CER co-hosts annual Economic Outlook Luncheons in Benson, Bisbee, Douglas and Sierra Vista, and the center produces four major publications annually as part of its Cochise County Economic Outlook Publication Series. In addition, the CER responds to a wide range of information requests from business and community leaders in Cochise County and across the state and region. The CER director serves on community projects, committees and task forces, providing technical expertise in research methodology and serving as a source of economic and demographic information, analysis and forecasting.

As an extension of Cochise College’s educational mission, the CER prepares weekly press releases that are published in newspapers countywide and provide insight into economic issues affecting Cochise County. The CER’s quarterly journal, The Indicator, provides updates on the local economy and opportunities for Cochise College students, faculty and staff, as well as local community leaders, to conduct research and publish articles on the local and regional economy. The CER maintains an official Facebook group to update followers on issues related to the local, state and national economies.

The CER has economic advisory committees in Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, and Sierra Vista. These committees include representatives from various sectors of the local economy who provide advice, expertise and input to the content of the economic outlook publications and luncheon presentations. They also serve as focus groups for the study of the qualitative aspects of the local economy and provide specialized expertise related to the organizations and industries they represent.

The CER is a member of the Association for University Business and Economic Research (AUBER), one of only two community college organizations in the nation holding membership. In addition, the CER is a state data center affiliate, receiving and disseminating U.S. Census Bureau data to local governments and nongovernmental data users at no charge or on a cost-recovery or reimbursable basis. The CER is charged with raising its own operating budget through sponsorships, gifts, donations, sponsored research and other sources.

Robert Carreira has served as director of the CER since 2005. He holds a doctor of philosophy degree in public policy, and master’s degrees in public administration, education, and international relations (international political economics).

Center for Economic Research Director
Dr. Robert Carreira
(520) 515-5370
carreirar@cochise.edu