The West Virginia University College of Business and Economics will issue its forecast for the 2006 West Virginia economy at the 12th Annual Economic Outlook Conference from 8 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Charleston Embassy Suites.

George Hammond, economist for the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, will discuss the outlook for West Virginia jobs, income, population and the gross state product. David Wyss, chief economist at Standard&Poor’s and well-known commentator on economic issues, will give the outlook for the U.S. economy.

Hammond, a research associate professor at WVU , has directed the West Virginia Economic Outlook project for over a decade. He has a Ph.D. in business economics from Indiana University.

Wyss, with a Ph. D. in economics from Harvard, is responsible for Standard&Poor’s economic forecasts and analyses. He has served as a senior staff economist on the

President’s Council of Economic Advisers, senior economist on the Federal Reserve Board, and economic advisor to the Bank of England. Dr. Wyss is currently a director of the National Association of Business Economics.

These forecasts will be followed by state industry representatives in a panel discussion of West Virginia’s business outlook. Panelists are: William B. Riley, director, WVU Center for Chinese Business; Steven J. Summer, president, West Virginia Hospital Association; and Mark Muchow, director of fiscal policy, West Virginia Department of Revenue.

The conference is sponsored by the WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research with underwriting support from AEP Appalachian Power, The Chambers Endowed Program for Electronic Business, Charles Ryan Associates, Charleston Daily Mail, The Charleston Gazette, Citigroup Global Markets, Crews&Associates Inc., Ferris, Baker Watts, Inc., The State Journal, and West Virginia Department of Revenue.

Registration is $70 per person or $85 after Nov. 10. Students can attend for $25. Continuing Education Units are available for many professionals who attend. For more information and to register, contact Patricia McDade at patricia.mcdade@mail.wvu.edu or visit our website atwww.bber.wvu.edu.