It appears the crystal ball we use to determine our economic forecast is a bit fuzzy this year, or so indicate the regional economists I asked to write prognostications for this supplement. Uncertainty remains the buzzword, but so do growth in output, a slow but steady labor market, and a stubborn consumer resiliency in the face of an unstable world.

As one economist put it, our regional economics look a lot like the previous two years.

We continue to hear the same challenges, including persistent inflation, high interest rates, war, weak employment gains, and trade conflicts. But we also hear about positive, though nuanced economic impacts of AI growth, as well as some tax-bill driven investments.

As one of our economists wrote: The labor force is tightening, but unemployment remains low; economic uncertainty is on the rise, but the stock market remains strong; prices continue to rise, but consumer spending is up as well.

Another economists described it as a "tug of war."

This is the 29th year the Journal of Business has partnered with Greater Spokane Incorporated and its predecessor to bring you the annual Economic Forecast event. 

We are also pleased to provide you with this companion supplement that puts into printed (and digital) words some of that which the event's keynote speakers provide, and much more.

This year's Economic Forecast event features economists Grant Forsyth, of Avista Corp.; Steve Scranton, of Washington Trust Bank; and Vange Hochheimer, of Whitworth University, and their voices are included in this supplement. But we also have excellent articles by economists John Mitchell, formerly of U.S. Bancorp fame, and Mike McBride, of the state Employment Security Department.

I am confident that our authors' insights and wisdom will help you understand the trends and risks ahead. Their varied approaches and perspectives make the supplement even more valuable.

Let me close again by reminding ourselves that we all have significant influence on the local economy. We get to decide when to expand and hire and make business investments, despite the clatter of federal and global uncertainty. Perhaps we get to decide on our own how fuzzy that crystal ball looks within our enterprises. We choose resiliency.

Paul Read is publisher of the Journal of Business.