Texas 2026: An Exclusive Outlook on Labor, Growth, and Market Risk
The 2026 Economic Resilience Luncheon brought together senior business leaders, policymakers, and executives for a focused, data-driven briefing on the economic forces defining this pivotal year for Texas.
The program opened with a national economic outlook from J.P. Morgan economist Joseph Seydl, who examined the macroeconomic trends reshaping business strategy across the state. His remarks were grounded by original research from the 2026 Texas Small Business Outlook & Resilience Survey — proprietary data commissioned by the Foundation and fielded across its 105-county service area. The survey delivered ground-level intelligence on workforce challenges, wage pressures, trade exposure, AI adoption, and growth expectations straight from the businesses driving the Texas economy.
Lana Macrum of J.P. Morgan then moderated the Power of Better Business Panel, powered by Austin Business Journal, where regional leaders translated that data into strategy — examining how workforce availability, infrastructure investment, technology adoption, and market risk are actively shaping decisions on the ground.
