TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the fourth time in less than 10 years, the Center for Business and Economic Research at The University of Alabama has received the Award of Excellence in Publications from the National Association for University Business and Economic Research for the Alabama Economic Outlook.

Alabama Economic Outlook is an annual short-term forecast for the Alabama economy. The publication is published each January and is the centerpiece of the annual Economic Outlook Conference. The forecast covers output and employment by sector. The publication also examines current economic conditions and trends and their likely effects on the national and Alabama economies.

The authors of the publication are research analyst Samuel Addy, economic analyst Ahmad Ijaz and socioeconomic analyst Carolyn Trent. Sherry Lang is the publication’s graphic designer. Deborah Hamilton, editor of Alabama Economic Outlook, said the award was unexpected and is the work of the entire CBER team.

“We have a very good team that works on Outlook, and this is a nice way for our teamwork to be recognized,” Hamilton said. Both Hamilton and Ijaz have worked on all publications since 1987.

Dr. Carl Ferguson, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research and associate dean for research and technology, said he is “extraordinarily proud of the work the staff has done.”

The publication was judged in four categories: layout/design production, writing/editing/composition; content; and overall quality. In addition to receiving the 2005 publication award, Alabama Economic Outlook has won the AUBER publication award in 1987, 1998 and 2001. Also in 2003, AUBER awarded CBER the “Outstanding Website of the Year” award.

For more information about CBER or the Alabama Economic Outlook go to http://cber.cba.ua.edu or call 205/348-6191.