When Bill Robinson first stepped into leadership at UNLV’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) during financial turmoil in the 1980s, he understood that success wasn’t just about data; it was about trust.

"Las Vegas was a much smaller town back then," Robinson recalled. "Relationships meant everything. Earning the community's trust became our most valuable asset.”

He vividly remembers an early challenge when a prominent casino developer expected CBER to deliver a favorable economic report. "We choose honesty over convenience," Robinson said. "The credibility we established by telling the truth, even when it wasn’t easy, has always been at the core of CBER."

Half a Century of Crunching Numbers and Changing Lives

Founded in 1975 when UNLV had just 7,810 students, CBER was created to bring economic knowledge into the community. Today, through data analysis and forecasting, the center supports public agencies, businesses, and policymakers — guiding decisions on everything from labor trends and population growth to infrastructure and economic resilience.

The center’s most recognized work is its population forecast, which began in 1996. Over the years, CBER has addressed pressing regional issues — from sustainable water use and economic diversification to analyzing the local labor market. Its population forecasts and job-seeker projections remain vital planning tools for city and county government and agencies like the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC).

“When we look at big transportation investments — like the Clark County Beltway or Interstate 11 — those are multi-decade projects,” said Andrew Kjellman, senior director at the RTC. “CBER’s data gave us the foundation to justify those efforts.”

Ayoud Ayoub, resource analyst at SNWA, said, CBER’s work has helped his agency "particularly in developing additional infrastructure to meet anticipated demand within the limits of available and expected future water resources. Those forecasts have also supported our push for stronger conservation since the 2002 drought because they’ve helped us anticipate demand and act early.”

That guidance continues today. “Whether it’s Project Neon or the Centennial Bowl, CBER helps us ask the right questions: 'How do we want to move around? What will our future look like?’” Kjellman said. Project Neon was the largest public works project in Nevada’s history, improving a key stretch of I-15 through Las Vegas, while the Centennial Bowl project reconfigured the US-95/I-215 interchange to ease congestion in the northwest valley. “Their data doesn’t just support plans — it helps shape them.”

Tortoises, Trains, and the Grateful Dead: A Peek Into the Archives

CBER's archives tell — and foretold — the story of a growing Nevada. There’s a 1987 feasibility analysis on high-speed rail between Las Vegas and Southern California, which is still ongoing today; an economic impact report on Grateful Dead concerts in Southern Nevada (1997); a fan demographic survey from the National Finals Rodeo (1989); and a statewide survey on healthcare coverage gaps (1992).

And one unexpected classic: discovering that more than 133,000 endangered desert tortoises were happily cohabiting with local homeowners. Fun fact, if you buy a home with a tortoise in the backyard, the tortoise comes with the house.

The Leaders Behind the Numbers

Over five decades, each director has shaped CBER’s path while staying true to its mission of filling the gap in economic knowledge for Southern Nevada. 

Betty Yantis, CBER’s first director, laid the groundwork by collecting local data long before computers made it easy. She established CBER’s reputation as a trusted local resource and published the first Clark County Factbook, the foundation for what is known today as the Las Vegas Perspective. 

She was followed by Robinson, who strengthened ties with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and the Nevada Development Authority to bring CBER’s research more visibly into the public eye. 

Under Keith Schwer, the center entered a golden era of community engagement, launching key projects like Economic Outlook, population forecasts, and Nevada Kids Count, which helped a rapidly growing Las Vegas navigate changes in education, entertainment, and healthcare. 

After the Great Recession, Stephen G. Brown guided CBER’s research toward housing, taxation, and energy policy, helping Nevada better understand its recovery and growth. 

Stephen M. Miller, then expanded the center’s focus to the broader national picture, exploring how Southern Nevada’s economy was tied to the U.S. as a whole. 

Today, under Andrew Woods, CBER’s work centers on economic resiliency — preparing Nevada for its next phase of growth in healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and entertainment. 

New Frontiers: Tracking the Business of Sports

Among CBER’s newest initiatives is a partnership with the UNLV Sports Innovation Institute to launch the Southern Nevada Sports Economy Data Dashboard, measuring how Las Vegas’s booming sports scene is driving growth in tourism, employment, and small business.

“CBER’s events — like Economic Outlook and Brews & Views — are incredibly valuable,” said Tina Quigley, former director of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance. “We wouldn’t know the city’s true potential without these forums.” 

Brews & Views is held quarterly at restaurants across the valley; the most recent event explored the economic impact of the Las Vegas brand, featuring panelists from Formula 1, R&R Partners, Film Nevada, UNLV Sports Innovation Institute, and TKO. The discussion highlighted how Las Vegas has evolved from a destination into a global identity. As Austin Brown, vice president of marketing for Las Vegas Grand Prix,  Inc., noted, “Las Vegas is its own character in a movie,” a sentiment echoed by others throughout the evening. The discussion highlighted how the region’s distinctive brand can be leveraged to strengthen the region’s future in tourism, sports, technology, and global commerce.

Applied Economics, Real-World Wins

Woods emphasizes that CBER’s research plays a critical role in shaping smart, sustainable policies. "Southern Nevada overall uses less water today than 20 years ago, despite adding nearly a million residents," he noted. "That’s the power of applied research making a real difference."

Looking ahead, CBER is doubling down on collaboration. "Cross-disciplinary work is key to tackling the complex challenges facing Nevada’s economy," Woods said. "We’re here to be a trusted resource across sectors — from government to business to nonprofits."

As Robinson put it simply: “We are servants of the community, first.”