Mainebiz

V O L . X X V N O. I JA N UA R Y 7 , 2 0 1 9 10 2 0 1 9 E C O N O M I C O U T L O O K F O C U S One Moment Can Make a Difference. Get in touch with your local Maine credit union and own it. Life is full of moments that can change your future. As a local business itself, a credit union knows how to make your job easier, with conveniences like mobile banking and remote deposit capture. Maine's credit unions also offer low fees, favorable rates, and personal service you can depend on every day. It's Your Moment. E very January, Mainebiz looks at the coming year and asks a range of experts, "What can we expect?" This year, we asked an even larger group of leaders — CEOs, small business owners, nonprofit leaders and economists — what 2019 will look like. The responses are more nuanced and tempered than the past few years. Yes, construction and real estate are strong, as are certain industries, but there are some warning signs. For the first time in a while, we're hearing more leaders express concern about the next "contraction" or recession. We'd encourage you to read the following pages and form your own opinion. 1. Construction projects now underway or on the books 2. Continued demand for real estate space 3. Shortage of affordable housing will create ongoing demand 4. Even with increases, interest rates will remain relatively low 5. Changes in Augusta will be good for certain industries. 5 SIGNS THE MAINE ECONOMY COULD STAY STRONG IN 2019 5 TROUBLING SIGNS OF A SHIFTING ECONOMY 1. The stock market's unsteady performance 2. Historically low unemployment constricts business growth 3. Tariffs forcing changes in some industries 4. Banks are heavily invested in real estate 5. We're near the end of the economic cycle. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED IN 2019 19 business leaders weigh in on Maine's economy — and a year that could offer some surprises '19 19 on

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