Experts will discuss 2027 economy predictions at Futurecast
Much of 2026 has been marked by persistent inflation, escalating energy costs, and macroeconomic headwinds such as higher interest rates and geopolitical conflict. Looking ahead to the coming year, some may wonder whether these conditions will settle into a new economic baseline.
Economists at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business will provide guidance to help Hoosiers understand where the economy has been and where it may go through Futurecast 2027, an 11-city statewide economic outlook tour that comes to IU Kokomo at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 10.
The event is free, but preregistration is required by October 27. Seating is limited. You can register here.
Howard County community and business leaders will join IU economists to present economic forecasts for the nation, state, the Kokomo area, and financial markets. Panelists will offer insights on predicted trends in gross domestic product growth, inflation, interest rates, employment, industry, and global markets.
IU Kokomo School of Business Dean Chittibabu Govindarajalu will moderate the discussion. Panelists include Kyle Anderson, clinical assistant professor of business economics; Dmitry Chulkov, professor of business analytics and economics; Bob Hickman, executive vice president and chief banking and credit officer, Community First Bank of Indiana; Carol Rogers, director of the Indiana Business Research Center; and Jared Wilson, clinical associate professor of finance.
“As we predicted in November, 2026 has been a year of slow growth and uncertainty,” said Phil Powell, executive director of the Kelley School’s Indiana Business Research Center, clinical professor of business economics and public policy, and interim faculty chair of Executive Degree Programs. “Indiana and Indianapolis, however, have fared better than the nation. Local business momentum continues to fuel our Hoosier communities. Our Futurecast will help everyone make sense of opportunities and challenges ahead in 2027.”
In tandem with its partners, the Kelley School of Business has presented its national, state, and local forecasts each year since 1972. Data housed at the IBRC has been instrumental in generating the forecasts, which contextualize economic risk and uncertainty and help Hoosier communities and businesses plan for the next year.
The event is co-hosted by the IU Kokomo School of Business, the IBRC, and the Kelley School of Business. For more information, go to ibrc.indiana.edu/outlook/kokomo.
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