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Dr. Les Wyatt speaks at the November 6,
Economic Outlook Conference
The Ninth Annual Economic Outlook Conference was a great success with 157 people
in attendance. We extend our thanks to Regions Bank, the ASU College of
Business, and the McAdams-Frierson Chair of Bank Management for sponsoring the
event.
Dr. David Wyss, chief economist at Standard and
Poor’s DRI, set the tone with a speech covering the national economy. He
noted that the current recession while not severe is slow in its recovery.
Economic concerns lie in the growing deficit which is related to national
security and increased domestic spending. He noted that consumers are
doing their part to boost the economic recovery with increased spending, but at
the same time they are building more personal debt. The average cost of
housing is still too high in relation to the average income of home seekers, but
low interest rates continue to be favorable and aid in making housing more
attainable.
Jim
Thompson of RiceTec, Mark Duckworth of Optus, Inc., and Bill Kraus from the
Arkansas Manufacturing Extension Network made up a panel which discussed
regional agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. The conference closed
with a luncheon and guest speaker Kenny Hall. Mr. Hall is Vice President of
Governmental Affairs with the Arkansas State Chamber and Associated Industries
of Arkansas, Inc. He discussed realities the state must face with its
current public school crisis.
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