Business & Economic Research Center at MTSU

President Sidney A. McPhee and Dr. Murat Arik join Bill Kraus on WGNS Radio to discuss the economic impact of MTSU alumni in Rutherford County.

“Our alumni are a driving force of the economic growth of this region, especially in Middle Tennessee, but also across Tennessee.”

Dr. Murat Arik discusses the housing market’s economic impact on the state of Tennessee. He also highlights economic solutions to stabilize sales and inventory. Click below to watch all segments of the program.

Middle Tennessee State University alumni, including alumni-owned businesses, generated over $15.2 billion in business revenue in the state over the course of a year — and Rutherford County alone recorded over $4.1 billion, the highest among all counties.

In partnership with Pathway Lending, BERC conducted a study examining banks’ motivation in creating partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions. The study’s survey and interview findings indicated that banks value social impact and regulatory compliance as the highest priorities when making community investment decisions through CDFIs.

In partnership with Pathway Lending, BERC conducted an economic and fiscal impact study on the Tennessee Small Business Jobs Opportunity Fund (TNSBJOF). The study found that the presence of the TNSBJOF loans has led to the creation of 2,396 jobs across Tennessee with a $142 million wage and salary impact and a $433 million impact on total business revenue statewide.

As part of the ongoing reentry efforts by the Rutherford County Correctional Work Center and the Rutherford County Re-entry Program, BERC prepared a job market analysis of potential jobs and skill requirements in Rutherford County. This report primarily reviews the employment opportunities available for the incarcerated population specific to Rutherford County. 

Thank you to all who participated! Reports are now available. If you have not received the reports, please contact berc@mtsu.edu. The Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) at Middle Tennessee State University conducted a 40-county wage and benefit survey, primarily of manufacturing and distribution companies, in Middle Tennessee between February 1 and March 24, 2023.  Read more.

Thank you to all who participated in the Nashville Health Care Survey! The report is now available. In partnership with the Nashville Health Care Council, the Business and Economic Research Center conducted a comprehensive study of the economic impact of Nashville’s health care industry.

2023-24 COE-URP Scholars Program

The COE-URP Scholars Program kicked off this fall on August 25, 2023. The COE-URP Scholars Program is a nine-month research and engagement program for undergraduate students at Middle Tennessee State University designed to bring students, professors and community members together to address pressing urban and regional concerns through academic research.

2022 MTSU Economic Impact on Tennessee

MTSU is responsible for more than $1.42 billion and almost 11,500 jobs in Tennessee in 2021, according to a recent study by the Business and Economic Research Center. The BERC study found that the university is Murfreesboro’s second largest employer with 2,270 local jobs and generates $143.6 million in local, state and federal tax revenue, according to an MTSU news release, an increase of 63% from five years ago.

Tennessee Trade Report – Q2 2024: It was a strong quarter for Tennessee exporters. State exports rose 8.3 percent to $10.22 billion. This was a significantly better performance than in the rest of the country.  Total American exports rose by 4.5 percent. Tennessee ranked 16th among the American states in its export growth… Read more