WWU economists look ahead to Whatcom's post-pandemic economy. Here's what they see

As we head into uncharted waters of possibly fewer pandemic restrictions and a huge financial stimulus package, Whatcom County’s economy could see some good and not-so-good scenarios in 2021.

Local economists Hart Hodges and James McCafferty hit on a wide range of topics during their annual economic forecast, held Tuesday, March 30, through a Zoom presentation by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Inflation seemed to be foremost on their minds, given that around $1.9 trillion is starting to be injected into the national economy. Hodges, who co-directs Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research with McCafferty, is interested in how the federal reserve handles the expected arrival of inflation.