The Center for Economic Research in Central California at California State University, Fresno and the Economic Development Corp. serving Fresno County have announced a new partnership.

Officials say it will "create additional economic research opportunities for Fresno County and the San Joaquin Valley."

A formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is planned from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Friday with Antonio Avalos, CERECC research director and chair of the Economics Department at Fresno State, Steve Geil, president/CEO of the EDC, Luz Gonzalez, dean of the College of Social Science and EDC board members.