Economic future to be discussed Wednesday

The seventh annual Economic Future of the Flathead breakfast on Wednesday morning will feature a close look at the Flathead's real estate market and an assessment of the valley's collective loss of buying power.

Montana West Economic Development will host the complimentary breakfast and talks by Jim Kelley of Kelley Appraisal and Gregg Davis, economist at Flathead Valley Community College.

It's from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Red Lion Hotel located at Kalispell Center Mall, with breakfast served at 7 a.m. and the program starting at 7:15 a.m. The public is invited.

Kelley's real estate presentation will cover:

- Annual construction activity.

- Annual subdivision activity.

- Quarter-over-quarter market analysis,

- Residential affordability and how it relates to historical trends.

- How Flathead County relates to national market trends as well as Lake and Missoula County market trends.

- Sub-market trends in Flathead County.

- Detailed data on the impact of foreclosure properties and what is currently in the foreclosure pipeline for 2009.

His January real estate market trends update for Flathead County is available online at http://kelleyappraisal.net/MarketUpdate/

Davis will discuss his initial estimates of the loss of buying power in the Flathead Valley due to income lost through unemployment and reduced work, and loss of wealth due to decreases in stock and real estate prices over the last twelve months.

If you plan to attend, call Kim Morisaki at 257-7711 or e-mail Kim@DoBusinessInMontana.com