The Center for Economic Research & Forecasting

The Cal Lutheran economic team has emerged as one of the state's best grounded and far-seeing prognosticators on California's ever-changing, rollercoaster economy.

– Dan Walters, Sacramento Bee Columnist

CERF in the News

An updated listing of all of CERF's appearances in the news media.


Port generates $202 million in economic output, report says
Stephanie Hoops, Ventura County Star

The Oxnard Harbor Commission is beginning the year with new leadership, tough regulatory challenges and an economic impact report that indicates the Port of Hueneme generates about $202 million in economic output, pays $15.4 million in local taxes and supports 1,516 local jobs.


Civic Leaders React to 2012 Economic Forecast
Staff, 1110KBND

The 2012 Central Oregon Economic Forecast is out and Dr. Bill Watkins is predicting a mostly flat local economy. Watkins unveiled his forecast Wednesday morning at the Economic Forecast breakfast at the Riverhouse in Bend.


C.O. Forecast Calls for Slow Growth

Central Oregon's economy is expected to expand over the next eight quarters, but that growth is likely to be slow and steady.


Unemployment numbers continue to improve
Daniel Wolowicz, Thosand Oaks Acorn

California and Ventura County unemployment rates have improved in the past year but still remain a far cry from where they were before the nation’s economy imploded in late 2008.


The Iraq War's economic impact on Ventura County
Carol Lawrence, Ventura County Star

Nine years of the Iraq War had a minimal impact on Ventura County's economy, compared with the fallout from the recession, local economists say.


CLU Economist Offers 2012 Outlook
Staff, KEYT

While most economists took the day off, Bill Watkins went to work at Cal Luthern University in Thousand Oaks.


Press On: The California Exodus
Gary Dickson, Lake County Record-Bee

In a state of more than 37 million people, you wouldn't think that a loss of population would be a concern to anyone. In fact, some would probably consider it a blessing.


Cal Lutheran forecast sees weak recovery in California
Dan Walters, The Sacramento Bee

Bill Watkins, who heads the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting at California Lutheran University, has consistently been the most pessimistic of economists who closely follow the California economy, and the center's latest report is no exception.


Report: California's jobless rate to taper slowly
Central Valley Business Times

California, which once led the world in economic vigor and change, is now resistant to any change, its economic joints becoming arthritic, its arteries clogged, says a new report from California Lutheran University’s Center for Economic Research & Forecasting that paints a grim future for the Golden State.


State's economic recovery to lag US in 2012, local forecaster says
Rachel McGrath, Ventura County Star

A leading Ventura County-based economic forecaster says 2012 will be "an uphill slog through a minefield."