CHAMBER ECON BLOWOUT

The European economic crisis, the overbuilt US housing market, and the (underestimated) escalation of commodities prices all played a part in making 2011 a market forecaster?s nightmare. (We'd wake in cold sweats, too.)
 

Richmond Federal Reserve chief Jeffrey Lacker spoke to 600 at the Charlotte Chamber's 10th Annual Economic Outlook Conference at the Charlotte Convention Center this week. (Jeff's district includes NC.) This past year saw relatively  persistent impediments  to US economic expansion. While the pace of growth has rebounded since the first half of the year, most analysts are still only expecting GDP growth to average about 2.5% by year's end, he says. The "murky federal budget outlook" also imposes significant uncertainties for consumers and businesses. (There were also uncertainties at the event; security was extremely tight amid rumors that someone had threatened the hall, though it didn't appear to stop anyone from enjoying the rib eyes and taters.)

 
The panel, moderated by Charlotte CRE icon  Henry Faison of Faison Associates, included luminaries from the local banking, manufacturing, and energy fields: Wells Fargo?s David Carroll, Nucor Corp?s Dan DiMicco, SPX?s Christopher Kearney, Duke Energy?s Jim Rogers, and BofA's CEO Brian Moynihan. Brian told attendees that it's incumbent on today's employers to create an environment that will stimulate job growth. Focus their energies on moving forward ?and not be divisive." The coming year is all about jobs and channeling constructive energy to solve problems, he adds.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Charlotte Newsletters
Related Stories

From Pandemic Darling To Cautionary Tale: Pickleball Clubs Face A Reckoning After Betting Big On Retail Space

Foundry Robotics Leaves San Francisco For New East Bay HQ

Tenant Rep Firm Expands To Philly, Hires Industry Veteran

Data Centers Lose The Top Spot, San Francisco Jumps 40 Places: 9 Takeaways From ULI's 2027 Outlook

Charlotte Extends Data Center Moratorium For 11 More Months

Cushman & Wakefield, NYC Added To Suit Alleging $250K Agency Lease Shakedown

Denver Public Schools' $11M Centennial Hall Purchase Marks Rare Land Sale For ULC

Brandywine Plans To Sell $200M Worth Of Properties In 2027

Pennsylvania Reveals Draft Map Of Areas To Benefit From Opportunity Zones 2.0

Developer Buys Land For Active Adult Apartments Near Novant Health Hospital

Cresa Taps Nathan Knowles As Atlanta Market Leader

Developer Of $3.8B Atlanta Project Discloses $19M Accounting Error