Page 15 - BusinessWest January 10, 2022
P. 15

 Economic Outlook
Economic Outlook 2022
COVID Complicates Generally Optimistic Projections
Ayear ago, business and economic development
leaders were looking beyond a surge in COVID to what they were
seeing as better times — when the pandemic would be a thing of the past,
the economy would rebound, and ‘normal,’ as in the life we experienced before March
of 2020, would return. Most of that, especially the parts about COVID being over and returning
to normal, didn’t happen. And that explains why, a year later, amidst another strong surge in COVID cases,
there is quite a bit of optimism about the year ahead, but also some hedging of bets. This past year showed that we
just can’t predict what will happen with this pandemic or with many of its side effects, everything from an unprecedented workforce shortage to inflation and supply chain woes, to a still white-hot housing market. In the stories that begin on page 16, area business leaders look ahead and project a year in which most all of the stern challenges from 2021, and especially the pandemic, will linger. But they also see a new and perhaps better chance to more effectively move on from COVID.
  ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2022
JANUARY 10, 2022 15
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