Overview

The UC Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project was established in 1981 by the Department of Economics at UC Santa Barbara to provide the community with information on economic, demographic, and regional business trends in the Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties area. The primary research activity is the collection and verification of statistical data and other evidence about the changing business and economic environment. From the assessment of this data the Forecast Project monitors the status of the economy and provides projections of future economic activity in the local area.

The Forecast Project is a self-supporting research program, administered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement. Oversight is provided by an operating Board of Directors representing the business communities of all the Tri-Counties.

Mission Statement

The Economic Forecast Project is a University of California Santa Barbara community-sponsored research unit. The purpose of the Project is to provide detailed economic and demographic data, analysis, and forecasts to citizens, government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and other users. To this end, the Project maintains extensive databases and models of the United States, California, and sub-California regions. Our research is presented to California communities via the Internet, publications, and events held across the State and throughout the year.

California represents over 13 percent of the United States economy. If it were a country, California would rank as one of the top ten economies of the World. Furthermore, California's economy is unique. With its location on the Pacific Rim and its leadership in technology, California is well situated to be a dynamic participant in the 21st Century Global Economy.

Any individual or entity operating in an economy as large and dynamic as California's, needs to be informed of important economic and demographic trends from multiple sources with multiple perspectives. The University of California Santa Barbara Economic Forecast Project exists to provide the data, research, analysis, and forecasts to inform those individuals and entities. We strive to present our work in the clearest, most detailed, and understandable manner possible.