At the 2016 B/CS Chamber Economic Outlook Conference Wednesday the numbers and speakers both said 2015 was a record year for the state and local economies.
Some of those same numbers point to what Texas A&M Real Estate Center Chief Economist Jim Gaines said could be a “transition year.”
He said a downward trend in global energy prices will slow the rate of growth in B/CS and temper last year’s record numbers in the housing market. “Definitely—2016—much slower. ”
Keynote speaker Tracye McDaniel, President and CEO of the Texas Economic Development Center, said Forbes listed College Station as one of the best small places for business and careers in 2015.
“This kind of collaboration, with a focus on quality of place, is an excellent strategy for unified and effective economic development, and becoming a future-ready city,” she said.
Gaines said he is not predicting a recession—or negative growth rate.
“[In 2016] we’re going to increase at a decreasing rate. Twenty-seventeen… I don’t know. I’m not looking forward to being up here next year.”
EOC Speaker Audio
Dr. Jim Gaines, The Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University
Tracye McDaniel, President & CEO Texas Economic Development Corporation / TexasOne
EOC Speaker Digital Presentations
- Henry Mayo – “It Didn’t Just Happen”
- Todd E. McDaniel (President/CEO Research Valley Partnership)* – Channeling Economic Prosperity: Making Impact
- Dr. Jim Gaines – “Visioning: What’s Over the Horizon?”
- Tracye McDaniel – “Wide Open for Business: Taking Texas to the Next Level in 2016”
More resources at the BCS Chamber of Commerce website
*”During the presentation, the audience was encouraged to participate in a Research Valley Vision Survey. As critical Stakeholders, I encourage each of you to participate as well. If you haven’t already, you can do so by clicking on the following link – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ResearchValleyVision – This vision process represents the first step in the possible formulation of the Research Valley’s next strategic plan. I hope this happens and that we are ambitious, striving to make impact.”