Forum to provide its annual economic outlook for 2010

Concerns about the slow economy, unemployment, retail and commercial activity will be contrasted with a slow rebound in housing and the influx of military troops to create an outlook for the southern Colorado economy in 2010 at the 13th Annual Southern Colorado Economic Forum.

Tom Zwirlein, professor, Business, and director of the Forum, and Fred Crowley, senior economist for the Forum, will provide their views of the future of the local economy as part of the 13th Annual Southern Colorado Economic Forum scheduled for October 30 in the Heritage Ballroom at the Antlers Hilton Hotel, 4 South Cascade. Registration begins at 7 a.m.

Thought of by many as our region’s economic “State of the Union,” the Forum offers the community an annual snapshot of local economic activity and provides forecasts to help businesses plan for the upcoming year. The forum brings together local experts from private, public and academic sectors to report on the regional economy. The forum is made possible by a cooperative effort between the UCCS, the College of Business, and the forum’s business sponsors.

This year, the keynote address will be provided by Eugenio Aleman, senior economist, Wells Fargo Bank. He will provide a national and international economic outlook. The forum will also feature panelists from the aerospace industry and the governor’s renewable energy office. Beginning at 10 a.m., a town hall meeting, featuring El Paso County and City of Colorado Springs elected officials and representatives of both the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Springs Regional Economic Development Office, will open the forum to audience participation to discuss some of thepressing issues facing the community and the region.

To register, see the full agenda, or for more information, visit www.SouthernColoradoEconomicForum.com