UA Economists Forecast What’s Ahead for the Rest of 2014 and Beyond

May 15, 2014

Reserve seats by Wednesday, May 21, for early bird rate.

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UA Economists Forecast What’s Ahead for the Rest of 2014 and Beyond

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Arizona economy expanded again in 2013,  although the pace of growth disappointed. Further, Tucson’s growth lagged  behind state and national rates.

Join   Eller College of Management economists George Hammond and Steven Reff as  they offer analysis of these trends and offer insight into what to expect for  the second half of 2014 and beyond at the annual mid-year assessment of the  region’s economy on Wednesday, June 4, 2014, at the Westin La Paloma Resort  (3800 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson). 

Registration  is $40 per person or $400 for a table of ten until May 21 and $45 or $450  thereafter.

This event marks the first led by Hammond, who was recruited  from West Virginia University in 2012 to succeed longtime director Marshall  Vest, who retired last year. He is joined at this event by Steven Reff, an  economics educator whose teaching at University High – and now at the Eller  College – has been celebrated with multiple awards. 

The two will share insight into the economic picture for  Tucson, the state, and the country. Among the issues they will consider are  federal fiscal policies, which played a big role in generating sluggish gains  last year through the expiration of the payroll tax holiday, the sequester, and  the government shutdown. The good news is that much of that fiscal drag will  dissipate, opening the door to faster growth in the near future. However, the  housing recovery paused during the second half of 2013, reflecting a variety of  factors that contributed to diminished demand and restricted supply. This is a  particular concern looking forward, because a robust housing sector is a key  pillar of forecasts for accelerating growth during the next two years.

What does all this mean for the outlook for Tucson, the  state, and the nation? What risks lurk below the overall trends? What surprises  might generate faster near term growth? Why has Tucson’s growth lagged behind  the state and the nation? How will the aging of the baby boom generation affect  growth?

Hammond and Reff will answer those questions and more June  4. The annual Breakfast with the Economists forecasting event is sponsored by  JP Morgan Chase and Co.

Event Details     Wednesday, June 4, 2014     7:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.   Westin  La Paloma Resort, 3800 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson.

The  Economic and Business Research Center at the UA Eller College of  Management has provided the Arizona community of business and public-sector  decision makers with applied research and information on economic, demographic,  and business trends in Arizona for over 60 years.