As we look toward the New Year, according to the well-respected Kipplinger Letter, here are 10 big predictions for 2024: 

1. The economy will dodge recession

2. Inflation will finally mostly get reigned in, falling to 2%

3. Easing inflation opens the door to rate cuts. Look for the first cut in May

4. The housing market won’t see much of a rebound after a rocky 2023

5. The global economy won’t thrive in 2024

6. Odds favor a 2024 presidential rematch that polls show no one wants

7. Congress is likely to OK a significant immigration reform bill early in ‘24

8. House Republicans will impeach Biden during the first half of the year

9. The Speaker of the House Mike Johnson figures to have the worst job in Washington. Kipplinger says Johnson, however, won’t be booted out because Republicans can’t afford another bitter fight for speaker in an election year

10. It’s an era of virtual reality with headsets that can win over regular folks. Apple’s foray into VR is a big reason. Its Vision Pro costs $3500 but Apple has a way of enticing the public to eventually buy a niche gadget.

What are folks thinking about?

According to Axios, the highest highs: 5 events generated huge spikes in internet search interest — moments that captured America's attention but didn't necessarily hold it.

1. Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, during the week of his sudden collapse on the field due to cardiac arrest. No other topic took up a greater share of Google searches in a single week.

2. Israel came in second, with searches surging following the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.

3. The Titan tourism submersible.

4. The sudden passing of "Friends" actor Matthew Perry. 

5. The Barbie movie, along with Trump's first and final arraignments, each received equal interest scores, tying for the 5th biggest moments.

6. The steady performers: Other topics stayed top-of-mind for most of the year, even when battling other hot breaking news events for attention:

• Taylor Swift drew more interest than any other person, topic, or event we analyzed. She was continually a person of interest — whether it was searches for her Eras Tour, the tour's film, the re-release of old albums, or her new relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce.
• Trump was the only person or topic to make the top 5 both for the biggest moment and most consistent interest in 2023.
• Ukraine came in third, when measuring sustained interest over the course of the year.
• President Biden came in fourth. 

We are not an island unto ourselves here in Southwest Louisiana. With many international companies located here and the ship channel and Port of Lake Charles, our region is tied to the world economy and events. 

As our region continues to rebuild after the hurricanes, a bright future is in store for our area.  Billions of dollars of industrial facilities are expected to begin construction highlighted by the LNG industry. 

McNeese State University and SOWELA Technical Community College are strong factors in providing training for our residents to fill the thousands of jobs now and in the future. If you have a friend or family member who moved away, help spread the word that jobs are coming to the area and we need them back.

2024 will be better for our region than 2023. Our wish at The Chamber SWLA/ Alliance is for you to have a happy and healthy 2024.