The CRER produces quarterly forecasts of the growth of nonfarm payroll employment in the Chattanooga MSA. Forecasts depend on the consensus forecast of the U.S. economy from the Blue Chip Economic Indicator survey.
Our new forecast is a net gain of one thousand jobs in the third quarter, and for growth to slowly return to 2023 levels by 2026. Tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them have resulted in more downside risk than upside risk. Under the pessimistic scenario, the forecast for Chattanooga job growth would be positive but weak through most of 2026. Our main forecast is for a net increase of 3,000 jobs in 2025, with fairly robust job growth of 6,500 in 2026.