UA to Release 2014 Economic Forecast for State

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — What’s in store for Alabama’s economy in 2014? Local and national economic experts from The University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and the nation will answer that question at the 26^th annual Economic Outlook Conference in Montgomery on Wednesday, Jan. 15.

The conference is presented by the Center for Business and Economic Research at UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce.

Forecasters say the economic outlook seems brighter going into 2014, but challenges remain. Conference attendees will gain insight into what to expect in the year ahead, and business experts will assess prospects for the state and the nation. The UA Center, known as CBER, will release its annual economic forecasts for the state and metro areas.

Presenters include David Altig, executive vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and Dr. Samuel Addy, CBER director and associate dean for research and outreach at UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce.

Tom Broughton, chief executive officer and president of ServisFirst Bank, will take an in-depth look at the health and outlook for Alabama’s banking industry.

The conference will be held at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., and the luncheon ends at 1:30 p.m. Registration is required by Wednesday, Jan. 8. Conference registration links and information are available online at http://cber.cba.ua.edu.

Sponsors of the conference are the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Alabama International Trade Center, Alabama Power, Alabama SBDC Network, Alagasco, BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, Boeing, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, ServisFirst Bank, Sterne Agee, and Vulcan Materials.

The Center for Business and Economic Research at The University of Alabama was created in 1930, and since that time has engaged in research programs to promote economic development in the state and provide economic and demographic forecasting, data and analysis.  Forecasts are a product of the Center’s Alabama Econometric Model.