Douglas County economy looks ‘healthy’ in wake of recession talk | Douglasville Sentinel

However, University of West Georgia professor William J. Smith and Jerry Parrish, the chief economist for Metro Atlanta Chamber agreed the West Georgia area and state should be in good shape.

“There is so much uncertainty out there,” Parrish said during a Douglas County Chamber impact luncheon. “None of us know what is going to happen and when it is going to happen.”

Parrish added that a national election year ‘always creates’ some uncertainty.

“Even economist and financial experts can’t agree on what is going to happen,” Parrish added.

Smith, Director of the West Georgia Regional Outlook and Center for Business and Research, said the area should be able to sustain any financial obstacles.

“West Georgia remains generally very healthy,” Smith said. “Things are not as bad as most

He said it is still a seller’s market for housing, however, it is a high demand but low inventory for houses.

Smith said the labor mark is in good shape, because there hasn’t been a ‘huge spike’ in employment claims.

He said employment is at 3.3% in Douglas County.

He said the labor force has returned back to pre-pandemic levels.

There are not many people in West Georgia that are not unemployed,” Smith said. “The area has recovered everybody that was laid off or quit.”

Douglas County District 3 Commissioner and vice-chair Tarenia Carthan said that was encouraging news.

“It shows we are doing the right things,” Carthan said. “We have been focused on economic development. We want to provide a good quality of living.”

Smith said that pay is up in…