The 2025 economic forecast report released by the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership and Cal Poly Pomona predicts a significant slowdown in the region’s economic growth this year, despite being well-positioned to weather a disaster like the Eaton Fire. Hits to the local economy from various factors would fall disproportionally on manufacturing, with damage also to construction, wholesale and retail trades, transportation and warehousing. The report also noted that the impact of natural disasters spills over into neighboring communities, with slowing housing production resulting in less space to resettle displaced fire victims. Finance, Real Estate and Law Professor Anthony Orlando, who created the report with department colleague Professor Gerd Welke, is quoted.

This article was originally published by San Gabriel Valley Tribune on March 28, 2025.