Dec. 25, 2023Edition

The state’s buzziest industry slowed down this year, although some sectors will do better than others next year.

Chaos would probably be a fitting description for the cannabis industry in general during 2023 and don’t expect that chaos to dissipate in 2024.

The reverberations of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact will continue to impact the manufacturing space in 2024, as companies face challenges in adapting to supply chain shortages in certain sectors like pharmaceuticals, worker shortages, increased costs, and changing consumer trends.

Progress is being made by those who never wavered, but the commitment overall is fading.

The reversal of affirmative action, along with the ongoing drop in enrollment, will create additional challenges in 2024.

Financial strains and the need to curb services will impact the industry’s operations for the foreseeable future.

Real estate remains an economic driver of the region, so expect the debate over the impact of growth to intensify in 2024.

In December 2022, the WBJ Editorial staff made 10 bold predictions for news events to happen in Central Massachusetts throughout the year. Turns out, we missed the mark on all but two.

Every December for this Economic Forecast special edition, the journalists in the WBJ newsroom forecast 10 possible news events for the coming year, based on their expertise and the trends in the Central Massachusetts business community.

Looking into 2024, it appears more Central Massachusetts business leaders are feeling positive about the economy than they have in the recent past.

Let’s face it: We’ve all been shaking off a collective funk since 2020. Heading into 2024, things seem better.