Oroville >> If 2017 was a roller coaster ride, 2018 could be a rocket ship adventure, considering the variety of topics that will affect the economy, from cannabis to the Affordable Care Act to government pensions.
The coming year will be discussed at the annual North State Economic Forecast Conference. Presented by the Center for Economic Development at Chico State University, the 18th annual conference will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at Gold Country Casino.
Economist Robert Eyler will offer a guided tour with his speech, “North State Economic Outlook: Tweets, Taxes and Truths.”
Eyler, dean of the School of Extended and International Education at Sonoma State University and an economics professor, is tasked with the economic predictions at national, state and north state levels.
Eyler will have a number of topics integrated under those umbrellas. There have been hints of a recession and Eyler will talk more about the potential.
Housing is always an issue for discussion, but Eyler will discuss how the housing market follows financial markets, and what impact global tensions may have.
The north state is still under the last threads of recession, so interest is strong in how the north state economy can become more bullet-proof, Eyler said.
He’ll also broach the impacts from cannabis — the opportunity and challenges, along with the kinds of industries that can help the north state economy — and the kind that won’t.
“Google or Amazon isn’t going to put a campus in the north state,” he said during a phone interview with this publication.
In addition to Eyler, other speakers include Todd Mirell of UC Davis on north state real estate forecast and trends; a panel discussion on “Maneuvering Today’s Hurdles and Preparing for Future Challenges”; and Jacob Vigdor of Evans School of Public Policy and Governance on “Implications of a Rising Minimum Wage on North State Businesses.”
In addition to the speakers, there are breakout sessions focusing on topics of interest to small business, local government officials, health care professionals and farmers.
The small-business breakout session includes topics of “Regulation Changes Affecting Small Business,” with a panel of Sandy Linville of the Oroville Chamber of Commerce, Tom Scott of National Federation of Independent Business, and Colin Sueyres and Saulo Londono of state Sen. Jim Neilsen’s office; “Financing and Capital Access,” with a representative of Rabobank, Tammy Laizure of USDA Rural Business Development, and Patty Hess of 3CORE; and “Understanding Your Competitive Advantage,” with Sean Morgan of Castle-Side Partners.
The local government sessions will be: “Looming Government Pensions and Its Impact on Government Services” and “Government Finance and Trends,” both with Pete Constant of The Reason Foundation; and “Government Efficiency and Effectiveness” with Chico Assistant City Manager Chris Constantin.
The health care topics include “Uncertainty with the Affordable Care Act — What if it is repealed?” with Oroville Hospital representatives and economist Eyler; and “TeleMedicine” and “Robotics,” both with Oroville Hospital representatives.
The agriculture sessions include “SGMA Regulation Changes,” with Ted Trimble of Western Canal District and Paul Gosselin of Butte County Water and Resource Conservation; “Finance and Trends,” with Tod Kimmelshue of Golden State Farm Credit; and “Labor Shortages and How to Address Them,” with Brian Little of California Farm Bureau Federation, among others.
New this year will be pre-conference workshops to be held Jan. 17 at Gold Country Casino. “FSMA Produce Safety Training” is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $240. “Introductory Grant Writing” is from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. for $150. To attend one preconference workshop Jan. 17 and the Jan. 18 conference will cost $116.
Reservations for the conference can be made at www.cedcal.com or by calling the Center for Economic Development, 898-4598.
Ticket costs are regular $145; student $50; elected county supervisor $100; table of eight $975; and chamber table of eight $775. A trade show booth includes two conference tickets and 8-foot table for $500. All tickets include breakfast and lunch.
Contact reporter Laura Urseny at 896-7756.
