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Avista economist forecasts modest regional growth, flags policy risks to Spokane-area economy
Summary
Dr. Grant Forsyth of Avista briefed council on a cautious growth outlook for the Spokane metro area, noting health-care employment as the largest near-term driver and warning that federal trade, immigration and fiscal-policy shifts could raise costs and slow growth.
Dr. Grant Forsyth, Avista Corporation—s chief economist, told the Spokane Valley City Council on Jan. 7 that the national and regional outlook is for modest growth over the next 24 months but with significant policy-linked uncertainty.
Forsyth said most forecasters do not expect a near-term recession, but inflation reductions have stalled and the Federal Reserve is signaling fewer interest-rate cuts in 2025 than earlier anticipated. He identified three policy areas that create downside risk for growth: trade policy (higher…
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