2 minute read
Executive Director message
Happy New Year!
Whew…2021 is finally behind us. No matter your political affiliation, I am confident that you will agree that 2021 was a VERY interesting year, with unpredictable and surprising twists and turns weekly. Throughout the ups and downs brought on by the pandemic, mandates, and more, the economy was always at the forefront of my mind, and, as I do every year, I read Kiplinger’s economic predictions, and keep my fingers crossed. Here are Kiplinger’s predictions for 2021, from late November: GDP: 5.6% in ’21, 4.0% in ’22 JOBS: 4.4% at end ’21, 3.5% at end ’22 INTEREST RATES: 10-year T-note rates rising to 1.7% by end ’21, to 2.3% by end ’22 INFLATION: 6.6% at end ’21, 2.8% at end ’22 BUSINESS SPENDING: Though next year will not see business spending grow by the lofty 13% expected for 2021, investment in equipment should still rise by a robust 7%, and software 5%. ENERGY: Crude oil trading $75 per barrel this winter, perhaps in a range of a few dollars above or below that mark. HOUSING: With mortgage rates still rising, inventory close to record lows, and home-buying sentiment at multidecade lows, sales are likely to trend down over the next few months. RETAIL SALES: Retail sales excluding gasoline should rise by 18% this year. TRADE DEFICIT: Supply-side headwinds will keep trade growth subdued Source: https://www.kiplinger.com/economic-forecasts
Looking at the predictions and considering the inflation view just a few weeks after these were published, and prior to this publication date, it will be interesting to see how accurate these indeed are. Our hope for our members is that they maximize their profits today and sail through 2022 – and the pandemic instability sails away, too. We look forward to seeing our members and engaging in person many times in 2022!
UAC is presenting our annual Landscape Pro University on August 31 at the Cobb Galleria Centre – fully in person. SiteOne Landscape Supply’s Supplier Expo will be offered at the same time as the education.
This year, we are offering five full hours of education and three ways to participate: 1. Landscape Design Seminar: Designing the
Environmentally Responsive Landscape...a Nature-
Inspired Approach 2. Georgia Pesticide License Review for Exam 3. Green Industry Conference: Mix or match topic areas hourly to get just what you need – across Agronomics, Hort/Plant Health, Business,
Irrigation/Lighting, Hardscape and Belgard U classes
You'll find complete information, including schedule, session descriptions, speakers, pesticide and continuing education credits, and travel info on pages 6 - 11 in this issue.
March 22 will bring us back to Piedmont Park for a Spring Fling Dinner, and April 19 we return to Topiary Courtyard for the always popular Springtime in the Courtyard networking and dinner event. Speakers for both events are yet to be determined.
Look for another social/networking event in early 2002 at a local brewery!
We look forward to seeing you soon.
