A strong outlook for a number of diverse businesses will help to keep the Southern California economy in good shape through the rest of the year despite rising interest rates and energy costs, according to the mid-year economist forecast issued today by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. The LAEDC’s Midyear Update: 2006-2007 Economic Forecast & Industry Outlook for Southern California pinpointed six industries with positive outlooks for the next 12 months: commercial aerospace, business and professional management services, bio-med, international trade and technology. “Call it the quiet boom,” said Jack Kyser chief economist at LAEDC in a summary of the study findings. “We will see record levels of activity in international trade and in tourism. In the meantime, there is a large array of major developments underway around the 6-county region ranging from transportation projects to hospitals. And folks in Hollywood are breathing a little easier due to the upturn in both domestic and international box office receipts.” The report notes that Los Angeles County will see a gain of 2,000 jobs in 2006.
