ODU Economics Prof to Discuss Economic Forecast at Retail Alliance Forum on March 28

March 25, 2013

Vinod Agarwal

Old Dominion University economics professor Vinod Agarwal, director of the Economic Forecasting Project in ODU's College of Business and Public Administration, will be the guest speaker at a forum on the Hampton Roads economy, "Economic Forecast 2013," hosted by the Retail Alliance.

The forum is scheduled for 7:30-9 a.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Crowne Plaza, 4453 Bonney Road, Virginia Beach. The event is open to the public, and costs $10 for members and $15 for non-members of the Retail Alliance.

Agarwal, who currently serves as a member of the Virginia College Building Authority for the commonwealth of Virginia, will share information from the annual economic forecast the ODU team prepares and delivers each year in late January.

For more information about the event, contact Sarah Kingsley at the Retail Alliance, at skingsley@retail-alliance.com.

This year's forecast called for the national economy to grow at a slower rate than it did in 2012, and predicted that economic growth in Hampton Roads would continue to lag behind the national average. The forecast in particular highlighted the risk posed to the regional economy by the mandatory federal cuts outlined in the sequester.

Founded in 1903, the Retail Alliance is recognized as the premier organization serving the interests of local retailers in Greater Hampton Roads.

The Retail Alliance provides products and services to retailers promoting the interests of the retail community, contributing funds to support programs of benefit to retailers and the entire community.

ODU's Economic Forecasting Team, composed of Agarwal and Gary Wagner, professor of economics, provides annual economic predictions that are widely quoted as authoritative in the region.