Economy

Economy: Silver Linings

This year, I expect Georgia’s post-pandemic expansion to end and a mild recession to begin, which will last about six months. A recession is not inevitable, but it would take near-perfect monetary policy plus a lucky break to avoid one.…

Economy: Hinesville’s Quick Recovery

Thanks to Fort Stewart, the Hinesville metropolitan statistical area’s (MSA) economy performed well during the pandemic recession and recovered quickly. From peak-to-trough, Hinesville lost 9% of its jobs, which is much smaller than the 13% loss posted by the state…

Economy: Valdosta’s Positive Prospects

From its 2020 peak-to-trough the Valdosta metropolitan statistical area (MSA), which includes Brooks, Echols, Lanier and Lowndes counties, lost about 10% of its jobs to the COVID-19 recession. The heaviest losses were in government and high-contact service industries such as…

Economy: Brunswick’s Strengths

From its 2020 peak-to-trough, the Brunswick metropolitan statistical area (MSA) – Brantley, Glynn and McIntosh counties – lost 19.2% of its jobs to the COVID-19 recession. The heaviest losses were in leisure and hospitality and state government. Because the Brunswick…

Economy: Athens Rising

From its 2020 peak to trough, the Athens metropolitan statistical area (MSA) lost 13.7% of its jobs to the COVID-19 recession. The city is recovering slowly. By November 2021, it had reversed only 71% of its job losses compared to…

Economy: Positive Outlook

The 2022 economic forecast for Georgia is positive and the pattern of slightly faster economic recovery for the state than for the U.S. will continue. Last year, I predicted that Georgia’s economic recovery would occur in three distinct phases: an…

Economy: Advantages Abound

Dalton’s economy took a big hit during the pandemic recession, losing 15% of its jobs. But it also recovered better than the country and the state. By mid-2021, Dalton had regained 89% of its overall job losses, compared to the…