North Bay Business Journal

Q&A: Chris Thornberg, Beacon Economics: Improvement seen in 2011

Chris Thornberg is founding principal of Beacon Economics, LLC, which has offices in Los Angeles and San Rafael. He is a nationally sought-after forecaster of financial conditions. His firm’s recent prognostications — accelerating GDP growth in the second half of 2011, no double-dip economic or housing industry recessions — have cut against the grain of those of many firms and agencies. He will be the keynote speaker at the Business Journal’s Impact Napa conference on Sept. 1. The publication asked him to weigh in on some of the larger forces affecting Napa County’s key economic drivers: wine, tourism, housing and construction.

Impact Napa keynote sees growth returning this year

U.S. economic growth will accelerate late this year and the chances of a double-dip recession are “completely blown out of proportion,” according to economist Christopher Thornberg, who will be the keynote speaker at the Business Journal’s Impact Napa conference Sept. 1 in Napa.

Why North Bay seems to be faring better and how to keep it that way

In its analysis of the recently released unemployment statistics for May, Los Angeles-based Beacon Economics listed the Santa Rosa-Petaluma MSA among three regions in California that gained jobs — 1,700 to be exact between April and May.

Economist: California unemployment to stay above 10 percent through 2012

San Rafael- and Los Angeles-based Beacon Economics forecasts California’s unemployment rate will remain above 12 percent through the first half of 2011 and won’t dip below 10 percent before the end of 2012.

2011 Trends: Economist: ‘A lot of little green shoots springing up’

NORTH BAY – While some dark clouds remain on the economic horizon, North Bay economists and business climate watchers are increasingly bullish about the 2011 regional forecast.

Christopher Thornberg: When asset values get too high relative to fundamentals, look out

NAPA — The good news from economist Christopher Thornberg is that it is very unlikely there will be a “double-dip” recession this year.

The bad news delivered to nearly 300 attendees at the Aug. 18 Impact Napa conference is that the recovery is likely to continue to be very weak, with economic growth earlier this year likely to be revised downward to just 1.3 percent from 2.2 percent.

When the word ‘unexpectedly’ is unhelpful

Here’s a word that should be eliminated from today’s coverage of the economy: “unexpectedly.”

Brad Bollinger: At 8 a.m., begin with economic data, end at 11 with opera

It’s not too often one can begin a three-hour business conference with a flurry of economic data and end it with a well-known piece from a Verdi opera.

Impact Napa registration closes this week

NAPA — Registration closes Friday for the Business Journal’s annual Impact Napa Conference on Aug. 18 featuring a regional overview by highly sought-after economist Chris Thornberg as well as presentations from local experts on issues important to Napa businesses, including wine, tourism and the vitality of downtown Napa.

The event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Meritage Resort in Napa. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $45 per person or $450 for a table of 10 (with company name on sign). To register, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com by Aug. 13, or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com.

Impact Napa conference to feature economist Thornberg

NAPA — The Business Journal will host its annual Impact Napa Conference on Aug. 18 featuring a regional overview by highly sought-after economist Chris Thornberg as well as presentations from local experts on issues important to Napa businesses, including wine, tourism and the vitality of downtown Napa.

The event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Meritage Resort in Napa. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $45 per person or $450 for a table of 10 (with company name on sign). To register, contact Linda Perkins at 707-521-5264 or events@busjrnl.com by Aug. 13, or go to www.NorthBayBusinessJournal.com.

Thornberg to give Napa County economic forecast

NAPA — Economist Chris Thornberg, Ph.D., a prominent predictor of the recent recession who is now warning of an economic “double dip” next year, will be examining Napa County’s cogs of commerce at the Business Journal’s Impact Napa conference Aug. 18.

Downturn’s silver lining: We’re attractive, affordable

If there is anything approaching a silver lining to the impacts of the Great Recession on the North Bay and particularly Sonoma County, it might be this:

For the first time in decades, the conditions exist in the North Bay’s most populous county to make it a very attractive and affordable place for business.