Forecast: Whatcom County economy should see some improvement next year

Next year will be one of slow, steady improvement, but the economy regionally and nationally is still a long way from digging out from the financial mess of two years ago, particularly with employment.

That was the theme at the 21st annual U.S. Bank Economic Outlook Forum, held Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club. A panel of four economists took a look at what has happened in different regions - Whatcom and Skagit counties, Washington state, British Columbia and the U.S. - and offered opinions about what to expect in 2011.