The Chattanooga Times Free Press has an article looking at what local bankers foresee about the upcoming year. CRER director Howard Wall made an appearance in the article describing import tariffs and their negative effects for the national and local economies. Read the story here
2/22/2025: Chattanooga Companies Brace for Trump’s Tariff Plan; Economist Says Costs Will Increase
This Chattanooga Times Free Press article describes the different ways that President Trump’s proposed tariffs will harm local businesses and consumers. The article includes comments from CRER director and chief economist Howard Wall about how costs will be higher for both consumers and producers. “Tariffs are almost entirely passed on to the American purchasers, whether…
2/20/25: Would Raising Tennessee’s Minimum Wage Lead to Job Loss? Economist Weighs In
CRER director and chief economist Howard Wall explained his views during a News Channel 9 story on a proposal to raise the minimum wage in Tennessee. “If it’s costless to just raise the minimum wage, then why don’t you make it $100? Why don’t you just make everyone a millionaire? Right? If it’s a question…
2/19/2025: Manufacturing Strength Seen as Boon for Chattanooga-Area Economy
CRER director and chief economist Howard Wall took part in the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Economic Outlook Breakfast. He and Chattanooga city mayor Tim Kelly addressed questions about the state of the local economy: Although there’s been a manufacturing renaissance nationwide, Wall said it’s been particularly strong in Chattanooga, constituting about 20% of…
2/18/2025: CRER Forecast for the Chattanooga MSA
The CRER has released its updated forecasts for job growth in the Chattanooga metro area: Partly because Chattanooga’s fourth quarter job growth was weaker than expected, the near term outlook has been downgraded. The CRER’s previous forecast was for job growth of at least 1.5 thousand per quarter throughout 2025, for a total of 6.7…