Expanding Economy

Who is poised to benefit the most by our expanding economy?
 
Description:
Central Oregonians patiently weathered eight years of the recession and a slow recovery. Beginning in 2015, we finally entered a period of expansion as the local economy regained the more than 10,000 jobs lost during the recession. Today, Deschutes County’s economy is in a much better place than it was before the Great Recession. We have a more diverse and stable economy that is less reliant on construction and tourism. But, what can we expect tomorrow?
 
The future outlook depends on your role in the economy. We are beginning to see a shortage of labor due to the expanding job market. As the labor supply shrinks, it will become increasingly difficult for employers to find quality workers. We continue to see positive in-migration, which helps to alleviate some of the labor shortage. But, is it enough? Join our panelist, Damon Runberg and Mark Kralj,  as they discuss the ramifications of an expanding economy by comparing the impacts on local businesses versus the local workforce.
 
Bio:
Damon Runberg-
Damon Runberg is a state economist with the Oregon Employment Department covering Central Oregon and the Klamath Basin. He calculates the monthly employment and unemployment estimates for the area’s counties. Additionally, Damon tracks various economic indicators critical to the region’s economy. He writes prolifically and regularly gives presentations on the state of the local economy.
 
Damon received his Master of Public Policy from Oregon State University (Corvallis) where he specialized in econometric analysis and natural resource economics. Before that, he received his undergraduate from Gonzaga University (Go Zags!).  Damon is a native Oregonian having lived in Beaverton, rural Rogue Valley, Corvallis and now Bend for the past five years.
 
 
Mark Kralj-
Mark Kralj is a portfolio manager and a member of the equity team at Ferguson Wellman Capital Management, managing the energy sector. He is a principal of the firm.
 
Before joining the firm in 1989, he was an equity analyst and portfolio manager for high-net-worth clients at First Interstate Bank.
 
Kralj received his B.S. in business from Oregon State University. He also is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.
 
Kralj is a member and past president of the Chartered Financial Analysts Society of Portland. He serves as a trustee for the Providence Child Center Foundation, the Oregon State University Foundation and the Oregon Symphony Board. Kralj is past chairman of the board of trustees and investment committee of the National American Red Cross Endowment. He is also on the campaign committee for the Oregon State University Cascades Campus.