Economic Outlook Conference

Peter Hesseldenz, Business and Economics Liaison, participated in the 24^th annual Economic Outlook Conference, a half day event held in Lexington and sponsored by the Gatton College of Business and Economics.  For the past several years Peter has attended the conference which presents information on the national and Kentucky economies. 

The event is a wonderful opportunity for learning as well as networking, with many local business leaders and members of the UK faculty in attendance.  This year’s conference featured an engaging mix of national and local speakers.   Two UK Economics faculty members, Ken Troske and Chris Bollinger, discussed the Kentucky economy, in entertaining and informative talks.  Troske tackled the economy in general, expressing a guarded optimism in his forecast, but also not hiding his frustration at the gridlock in Washington, which he blames, in part, for the slowness of the recovery.  Bollinger talked particularly about housing issues, describing in detail how the recent crisis has affected markets in Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati. 

The conference also featured Mark Sniderman from the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland, who discussed the relationship between monetary and fiscal policies and the current economic situation and Jim Gray and Greg Fischer, mayors of Lexington and Louisville respectively, who talked about the innovative BEAM (Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement) project which links the two cities together for mutual economic gain.