Springfield company to host forum on presidential candidates

To register:

Residents can register online at www.efhutton.com/townhall

A Springfield company plans to host a panel discussion on how the presidential race could affect economic issues, particularly for voters who remain undecided.

EF Hutton America recently announced plans to invest $22 million and hire 400 workers over the next several years.

The company will host a forum at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Clark County Performing Arts Center. However, between 7,000 and 10,000 residents are expected to attend based on current registrations, so the venue is subject to change, said Chris Daniels, CEO of EF Hutton America.

“It’s a town hall with a panel of experts that will weigh in on the economic policies of the candidates and what impact those policies will have on the national economy,” Daniels said.

Topics will include the federal budget, taxes, business growth, banking, retirement, student loans and other issues. The list of local panelists will be available closer to the date of the forum.

In person at the event will be Austan Goolsbee, a former chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers and a Cabinet member for President Barack Obama, who will represent the Democratic Party; and Stephen Moore, a Donald Trump economic adviser and economist at Freedom Works, who will represent the Republican Party, Daniels said.

The speakers are also subject to change because of the ongoing presidential campaign.

Registrations opened early to draw more interest in the forum.

“The more people that register and the more interest in attending the event, the more likely it is that one of the candidates may appear in person,” Daniels said.

It is free for residents to register to attend, but it’s possible there will be a charge for registrations after Wednesday, Sept. 28.

“We’re trying to bring to Springfield some speakers and information that’s valuable for the community, and also trying to bring to a national audience, a discourse on the important issues that can make the difference for undecided voters,” Daniels said.