TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Web site hosted by the Center for Business and Economic Research at The University of Alabama has been named the “Outstanding Web site of the Year” by the national Association for University Business and Economic Research. Last year’s winner was the University of Oklahoma.

“This is wonderful recognition for the hard work done by the Center for Business and Economic Research,” said Dr. J. Barry Mason, dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce, which houses the center. “It reinforces the importance of electronic communication in this day and age, and it underscores the strong connection between CBER, business and state and local government agencies.”

The Web site is designed and managed by Deborah Hamilton, assistant director of the center, and Sunja K. Park, a programmer/analyst at the center.

AUBER is the professional association of business and economic research organizations in public and private universities. The Web site award was started in 1997 and honors the efforts of members to communicate with their constituencies effectively and efficiently via Web sites. The sites were judged on content, meeting objectives, site organization, ease of use, interest, visual design, links, and solicitation and use of feedback from users.

Dr. Carl Ferguson, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and associate dean for research and technology, said, “We are fortunate to have professionals such as Deborah and ‘Sunny’ as part of our team. A lot of work goes into our Web site, and to receive such national recognition from our peers is a very significant achievement.”

CBER’s “Alabama Economic Outlook” has won the AUBER publication award three times, in 1987, 1998 and 2001. The “Alabama Economic Outlook” is an annual short-term forecast for the state’s economy that covers output and employment by sector. Current economic conditions and trends and their likely effects on the national and Alabama economies are also examined.

To visit the Web site, go to http://cber.cba.ua.edu.