According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, new federal data shows that the worker shortage crisis is getting worse, which could adversely affect growth despite increasing optimism in middle market businesses. In this mid-year economic review and forecast, Dr. Jerry Parrish will be addressing the recently released workforce report as well as the skills gap. He will also discuss the recovery and provide his forecast for the rest of 2021.
Dr. Jerry D. Parrish is the Chief Economist and the Director of Research for the Florida Chamber Foundation. In that role, he is responsible for conducting in-depth analyses on the Florida economy and on solutions to help secure Florida’s future.
Dr. Parrish previously was the Chief Economist and Director of the Center for Competitive Florida at Florida TaxWatch. Prior to that position, he served as the Associate Director of the Center for Economic Forecasting & Analysis (CEFA) at Florida State University, and has many years of experience in the private sector in management roles at international manufacturing companies.
Dr. Parrish is also an Adjunct in the Masters in Applied Economics Program at Florida State University. He earned a B.S. in Agricultural Business and Economics from Auburn University, an M.B.A. from Bellarmine University, an M.S. in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a Ph.D. in Economics from Auburn University. He regularly publishes research reports and articles on the Florida economy and Florida’s competitiveness.