The national economy is fragile, so what effect, if any, will that have on West Virginia? Will growth in the Eastern Panhandle continue to gain momentum, or will the federal budget outlook impact that growth?

Those questions and others will be addressed at the Eastern Panhandle Economic Outlook Luncheon on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the Martinsburg Holiday Inn. The event is presented by the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics Bureau of Business and Economic Research and is sponsored by MVB Bank. The program will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will include presentations by R. Andrew Bauer, an economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and Dr. George W. Hammond, BBER associate director.

“Prospects have brightened for the Eastern Panhandle during the past year, with Macy’s locating in the region and Quad/Graphics expanding,” said Hammond. “So far in 2010, local job growth has improved and the region’s unemployment rate has begun to fall.”

The program will include lunch, a welcome by MVB Bank Vice President of Retail Banking & Client Services R.B. Seem, a presentation on the U.S. economic outlook by Bauer and a report and presentation by Hammond on the economic outlook for the Eastern Panhandle.

“With the national economy decelerating, and efforts to cut federal spending increasing, this is a critical time to stop and consider the national and regional outlook,” Hammond said.

Persons interested in attending may register online at www.bber.wvu.edu . For further information, phone (304) 293-7831.

-WVU-

09/30/11

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CONTACT: Patrick Gregg
304.293.5131
patrick.gregg@mail.wvu.edu