OC economy to grow slower than nation in 2011 says UC Irvine dean
UC Irvine business school dean Andy Policano forecasts Orange County will lag the U S in 2011 with 2 8 to 3 3 percent growth nationally and 1 to 2 percent in California The housing market and unemployment trends shape his outlook with 9 4 percent unemployment now and 8 percent not until 2012 Policano cites retraining workers and shifting Detroit like manufacturing to lower cost cities as keys along with higher taxes and rates He notes positive signals in housing permits and price declines slowing while inflation climbs in food energy and health care and warns state and local government strain remains