By Erin Maxson

MEDFORD, Ore. -- The business of creating business is not easy, so on Thursday, key players in Southern Oregon's economy gathered to increase companies, jobs, and the money flowing through the region.

Southern Oregon business leaders met in one place to brainstorm, network, and hear for the first time a business forecast tailored to our area. Today at the 9th Annual Southern Oregon Business Conference, an economist from the University of Oregon presented his findings for our specific area. This has been done for Portland, Bend and Eugene, and now it's Medford's turn.

Tim Duy says it will be another two or possible three years until the Rogue Valley is able to be where it should in business development and production. Duy looks at a variety of past and present factors to come up with the index.

NewsWatch12's Erin Maxson also spoke with a number of people at the conference about what this means for job creation for the thousands who do not have jobs. The Job Council says they continue to have complaints from employers that job seekers are simply not skilled enough.

So, adding to your skill set, whether you are underemployed or not, is clearly very important, and according to Tim Duy, we have about two or three years to do that.