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Econ 2009 Outlook

THE ORACLES

What will the region look like in 10 years?
We asked five local financial, civic, development, and nonprofit movers and shakers what their vision was for the region by 2018.

Stephen Mullin
" ... There's a nice potential upside .... Not skyrocketing, but some solid things."

Bill Sasso
"We'll be stronger because of regionalism...."

Omar Blaik
"In terms of city vibrancy, I think we are unmatched."

Feather Houstoun
"So our position in terms of being very, very competitive as a region is great...."

Bob Turner
"The region has tremendous assets that can allow it to be more prosperous...."
THE SECTORS
How the region shapes up
For most, just surviving the recession will be the primary goal. The area should fare better than the nation. A report on 13 sectors:
 
The nation
 
The region
 
Health care
 
Housing
 
Finance and banks
 
Retail
 
Pharma and biotech
 
Energy
 
Law
 
Transport and trade
 
Higher education
 
Hospitality and culture
 
Media and technology
Independence Hall is a draw for visitors. It’s unclear how the hospitality industry will fare. According to some estimates, the U.S. hotel business is likely to drop as much as 20 percent through 2009. All of the region´s economic sectors are bracing for change in the next year. (Peter Tobia / Staff Photographer)
Independence Hall is a draw for visitors. It’s unclear how the hospitality industry will fare. According to some estimates, the U.S. hotel business is likely to drop as much as 20 percent through 2009. All of the region's economic sectors are bracing for change in the next year. (Peter Tobia / Staff Photographer)
CHAT TRANSCRIPT

Financial planner Robyn E. Jameson, CFP, CFBS, CLTC, answered readers' questions and offered advice.
CREDITS
Graphics: John Duchneskie, John Tierno, Alan Baseden
Photo editing: Cheryl Shugars
Editors: Roslyn Rudolph, Tracy Koontz, Sue Weston, Thomas Ginsberg
Produce terminal officials foresee huge growth for their sector. (Jonathan Wilson / Staff Photographer)
Produce terminal officials foresee huge growth for their sector. (Jonathan Wilson / Staff Photographer)
THE PORTS
Portal economy to lead the way
From a superefficient produce terminal pumping 70 million cases of apples, lettuce and Asian pears throughout the East Coast to Comcast Corp.'s data-operations center tracking the nation's Internet pulse, there's something going on in Philadelphia.

Can a Portal Economy become our growth edge?
INTERACTIVE

Get economic data
from your neighborhood
Between 2004 and 2007, a stark shift in job concentration, worker earnings and number of business establishments rippled across the region. Look up recent changes to job and wage changes in your own zip code.


Interactive map by Alan Baseden, John Duchneskie and John Tierno / Inquirer staff
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NEWS
Partisan budgeting prolongs state mess
Dave Davies: Public dollars are to serve the public. If we whack them up into slush funds that Democratic and Republican party leaders can use to compete with each other, we invite exactly the kind of mischief alleged by grand juries in the Bonusgate probes.
Attorney faces murder, other charges
LaCrosse takes on a worldly appeal
Accounts differ on fatal shooting
Garces cooks up an 'Iron Chef' title
Barrack Hebrew Academy teachers approve contract