Editorial: The Economy: Confidence
in future will be key

The Marietta Daily Journal

When will the economy start turning around? Maybe as soon as later this year, according to three local experts speaking last week at Kennesaw State University's inaugural Southeastern Economic Insight Forum at the Cobb Galleria on Thursday.

Featured were Dennis Lockhart, president of the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, Dr. Don Sabbarese, director of KSU's Econometric Center and Craig Wright, senior V.P. and chief economist for RBC Bank.

"I'm the optimist in the crowd, and flat is the new up," Wright said. "The key question is 'When?' There will be some signs of progress at the end of the year, with a more upbeat 2010."

The panelists took due note of the weakness across the board in the economy, and Lockhart noted that the worst could still be ahead.