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Santa Rosa commissions economist Robert Eiler; presentation projects modest national growth, flat local housing and jobs growth led by health care
Summary
The Economic Development Subcommittee heard a remote presentation from contracted economist Dr. Robert Eiler (Sonoma State University). Eiler said major forecasters do not expect a recession, Santa Rosa taxable sales fell ~2.8% year over year, housing is effectively flat, and jobs could grow by ~5,000 by 2030, driven by health care.
Dr. Robert Eiler, a professor of economics at Sonoma State University contracted by the City of Santa Rosa, told the Economic Development Subcommittee on Dec. 1 that major forecasters do not expect a national recession and that Santa Rosa’s economy shows modest, mixed signals.
Eiler said the Philadelphia Federal Reserve panel of forecasters projects growth through next year with a flattening later in the decade. “There is no recession in the forecast,” he said, while noting a roughly 15% chance of recession looking toward 2026. He cautioned that headwinds remain and recommended monitoring macroeconomic pressures that could affect local small businesses.
The presentation examined local indicators: Santa Rosa’s total taxable sales fell about 2.8% in the most recent fiscal‑year comparison, according…
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