LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — While no one can predict the future with certainty, local experts shared their outlook on what 2026 could bring during the Lima Rotary Club’s Groundhog Day meeting.
Speakers discussed projections for agriculture, finance, economic development and weather, including insights from Your News Now Chief Meteorologist Adam Musyt.
When it comes to economic development, Greater Lima Region President Dave Stratton said the area continues to gain recognition for growth. He noted the region has ranked highly in Site Selection Magazine for several years and said momentum remains strong.
“We're seeing positive things happen with riverfront one we're looking at a development of that whole corridor, but then also the business community with new projects like the advancement of the data center on the north side, Amazon coming on the south side, the development of target at the Lima Mall. We're excited about what's happening and the future that's before us,” says Dave Stratton, President of Greater Lima Region.
Andy Farley, senior vice president at State Bank and Trust, said the local business climate remains favorable and that improving interest rates could benefit both businesses and individuals.
“Everybody's asking on the banking side about rates and what they're going to do this year. Nobody's got a crystal ball, but rates are becoming more favorable for everybody, and so we're looking forward to a good year because of that,” says Andy Farley, Sr. Vice President at State Bank and Trust.
Agriculture challenges were also discussed by Garth McDorman of the Allen County office of the Ohio State University Extension. He said farmers are facing tighter profit margins as expenses increase while crop prices remain low, compounded by uncontrollable factors such as weather.
“The commodity prices, of course, are always a topic conversation, and they're a direct correlation with trade, exports, tariffs, all the all the things that we talk about nationally and locally. So I do see some challenges in the agriculture industry this coming year because of those tightening margins,” says Garth McDorman, Allen County OSU Extension Educator.
With the forecasts now shared, the community will have to wait the next 11 months to see how closely those predictions match reality.
