12th Annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook Forum

Contact: Heidi Reiber, Director of Research

Economic Development Coalition for Asheville - Buncombe County

(828) 258-6120 – hreiber@ashevillechamber.org

PARSEC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRESENTS
THE 12th ANNUAL ASHEVILLE METRO ECONOMY OUTLOOK

The 12th Annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook, a presentation of the latest significant economic trends at the local and national level, will be offered by the Research Department of the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC). The event will be held on Thursday, August 18, at the Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square. Networking will begin at 5 p.m., with presentations commencing at 5:30 p.m.  Following the economic updates, those in attendance will learn the objectives and goals of the Asheville 5X5 campaign, the capital campaign to fund workforce and economic development efforts in the Asheville area through 2016.    

The 2011 Outlook will feature two well-known economists, Dr. James Smith and Mr. Tom Tveidt, who will share timely insights on the national and local economic outlook.  “This event provides businesses and the community with the most powerful economic information available about our local region,” said Ben Teague, Senior Vice President of the EDC. 

Parsec Financial Management's Chief Economist, Dr. James F. Smith, will share the global outlook of the U.S. economy.  With over 35 years of experience as an economic forecaster, he brings extensive knowledge from his work in various sectors, including retail, manufacturing, government, real estate associations, and academia.  As Chief Economist at Parsec Financial, Jim provides information on the economic outlook to the firm’s partners and clients.  He is past president and an active member of several economics groups, including the National Association for Business Economics and the National Business Economic Issues Council, as well as past co-chair of the European Council of Economists.

Tom Tveidt, President of SYNEVA Economics, will lead an analysis of the local Asheville economy. As his 12^th year participating in the Economic Outlook, Tveidt will present critical economic and demographic changes in the Asheville area. At SYNEVA Economics, Tveidt interprets trends for communities and private firms across the nation. The firm specializes in revealing the unique character of local economies and demonstrating how to leverage that knowledge into better decision-making. Tveidt is an invited instructor for the National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA), International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). 

The 12^th Annual Asheville Metro Economy Outlook is presented by Parsec Financial Management. Additional sponsors include Asheville Citizen-Times, Asheville Savings Bank, BMW of Asheville, Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, Mountain Xpress, Progress Energy, Blue Moon Water, FASTSIGNS, and the Diana Wortham Theatre.

The EDC for Asheville-Buncombe Countyis a public-private partnership committed to: creating and retaining high quality jobs, community leadership, and being a resource for better business decisions.  The EDC accomplishes this mission through its four core services: business retention & expansion, small business & entrepreneurship, research, and marketing & recruitment.   The EDC is funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Asheville 5x5 Campaign.

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is a 2,000 member organization representing 86,000 employees.  Chamber members collaborate with community organizations and coalitions to support the community and each other with the mission of increasing the region’s livability by advancing its economic vitality.  The Asheville Chamber works diligently to ensure that Asheville continues to prosper while also protecting the natural beauty of the area.  In 2006, the Chamber moved to a new location and is now home to the 4,000 square foot Visitor Center which welcomes 200,000 visitors per year.