The widespread “little stumbling block” of the Delta variant for development in Pittsburgh, says PNC chief economist – WPXI

PITTSBURGH – The chief economist at PNC Financial Services Group Inc. doesn’t think the rapid spread of the Delta variant will slow growth in the Pittsburgh area.

But the pace of the local economy is likely to slow temporarily.

“I think that will only be a small stumbling block,” said Gus Faucher on Thursday. “That doesn’t mean we’re going back into recession, but growth will be a little slower than expected in the short term. But we will be strong. “

This is backed up by the fact that vaccination rates in southwest Pennsylvania are “pretty high,” he said, above the national average. Faucher also does not anticipate the return of the strict restrictions introduced in March 2020, which affect restaurants and retail in particular.

Read more from our news partners in the Pittsburgh Business Times.