Area economy weathering problems, says expert

Published or Revised December 06, 2007

Nearly 200 participants at the North East Texas Economic Outlook Conference heard reasonably good news Wednesday about the economic outlook for Hopkins, Hunt, Delta, Lamar, Franklin and Titus counties from featured speaker Dr. Ray Perryman, of The Perryman Group. The Texas job market has maintained its strength and Texas exports are more than 11 percent above last year's levels, according to Dr. Perryman. The state's housing and construction sectors are flat. Even though slowing, there should still be positive performance from the state economy. Dr. Perryman's economic forecast for the region is that while slowing, there should still be modest growth. Challenges include the national housing market causing credit to be more expensive, energy prices, diversion of economic resources to the war on terror, and lack of economy-friendly solutions on immigration issues. Still, Dr. Perryman expects a moderate level of economic growth due to a diverse economic base, proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and ongoing demand for natural resources. The conference, held by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored in part by Paris Junior College, was held at the Hopkins County Civic Center in Sulphur Springs. Attendees from Paris Junior College included Dean of Academic Studies Dwight Chaney; Sulphur Springs Center Director Linda Bennett; Greenville Center Director John Spradling; Associate Dean of Distance Learning Dr. Kenneth Haley; Greenville and Sulphur Springs Liaison Paul Bailey, and Director of Public Information & Marketing Margaret Ruff.