n LOUDOUN
4 | n LEESBURG
VOL. 8, NO. 38
8 | n EDUCATION
10 | n PUBLIC SAFETY
13| n LEGAL NOTICES
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AUGUST 10, 2023
Biz Leaders Talk Economic Challenges BY NORMAN K. STYER nstyer@loudounnow.com
Is a recession coming? Maybe. What’s the biggest challenge to economic growth? Workforce shortages. Those were the key takeaways from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the Economy forum held Tuesday morning at the Westin Washington Dulles Airport. “If you keep predicting a recession you will eventually be right,” Tom Barkin, CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, noting that economic forecasters have been warning of a downturn for more than a year but keep pushing out the expected impact date. While high inflation continues to be a concern, with another round of Fed interest hikes still in play, Barkin said the nation is set up for a less severe recession, if it eventually arrives. He cited three trends that will buffer the impacts of a contracting economy. There continues to be a strong demand for workers, especially in the front-line service industry and in manufacturing. Consumer demand also remains strong, fueled by purchases that ECONOMY continues on page 31
Alexis Gustin/Loudoun Now
Incoming Superintendent Aaron Spence was introduced to the public for the first time at the Aug. 8 School Board meeting. Spence met with the press before the meeting to answer questions.
Spence Seeks ‘Collective Endeavor’ in Education BY ALEXIS GUSTIN agustin@loudounnow.com
Incoming Superintendent Aaron Spence was introduced to the Loudoun community for the first time Tuesday night during the School Board meeting where he gave some brief remarks.
In a press conference before the meeting Spence said he’s looking forward to starting his tenure at Loudoun County Public Schools on Sept. 1. That work will start with visits to schools, he said. “My intention is to spend time at schools early and often. You can’t know as a superintendent what is happing in your schools unless you are in your schools,” he said.
Spence said his overall message to parents, students, staff members, and the community is that “this is going to be an outstanding year.” He said his goal from day one will be to build relationships through community
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