Economists to provide global perspective at annual forum

The Fifteenth Annual Southern Colorado Economic Forum will offer insight into the region’s economic outlook beginning at 7 a.m., Oct. 14 at the Antlers Hilton Hotel, 4 South Cascade.

More than 500 regional business leaders are expected to attend the forum to hear global, national and local economic forecasts. The forum is organized by Tom Zwirlein, professor, College of Business, and Fred Crowley, senior instructor, College of Business. Zwirlein and Crowley serve as forum director and co-director.

“This year, we’ll talk more about the impact of global and national events on our local economy,” Zwirlein said. “The debt crisis in Europe, the stalemate in Congress, and deficits run by central governments all play into our local economy.”

Joining Crowley and Zwirlein will be Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist with Wells Capital Management, who will provide a national and international outlook. A panel focusing on regional economic development will feature Frank Caris, CEO and president, dpiX, LLC, Dave Csintyan, president and CEO, Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, and Dennis Donovan, principal/owner at Wadley-Donovan-Gutshaw Consulting, follows the economic report. Ron Chernak, president, First Business Brokers, will moderate the sessions.

“We are going to challenge the community to focus on economic development and the jobs being created,” Zwirlein said. “Not all jobs are equally desirable, some have a greater impact on other job creation, income and the taxes used to support public services.”

If the Congressional Super Committee does not achieve a budget resolution, automatic cuts in the military budget will go into effect.  How that might affect our local economy could be positive or negative.

“The military activity in our region may be so important to national defense, that a military budget cut could favor some of the installations in the region,” said Zwirlein.  “We have a strong history of winning Base Realignment Committee wars.”

To learn more about the forum or to register to attend, visit http://www.SouthernColoradoEconomicForum.com/

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*