First Independent Bank's 2017 Economic Forum will feature keynote speaker and noted economist Christopher Thornberg of Beacon Economics, LLC. The event, which will be from 7-10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, will also feature a presentation by Brain Bonnenfant of the University of Nevada, Reno's Center for Regional Studies. The event is free and will be held at The Grove, 95 Foothill Road, Reno.

Bonnenfant is a geographic information system analyst at the Nevada Small Business Development Center as well as the project manager at the Center for Regional Studies at the University. Bonnenfant specializes in spatial analyses including site selection, market area, feasibility, land use, industry, employment, sales demographic, residential and economic impact studies using geographic information system software.

Bonnenfant will cover the following topics in his talk: housing affordability; income levels; trending wages; population trends; enrollment and labor force trends; immigration, including who is moving to northern Nevada and from where, when and at what age. Bonnenfant will also review a forecast index for the next six to 12 months.

"This event is for those looking to relocate to northern Nevada or to use economic and demographic information to make better business decisions," Winnie Dowling, the Deputy State Director of the Nevada, SBDC, said.

Nationally recognized speaker Christopher Thornberg will also be presenting at the event. Thornberg is a founding partner of Beacon Economics, LLC, as well as a noted speaker and advisor sought out by many well-known organizations, government agencies and financial cooperatives. He has been quoted by major media outlets including the "Wall Street Journal," "The New York Times" and "The Washington Post."

For more information about the event, contact Ashley Hernandez at ahernandez1@firstindependentnv.com.