A new economic forecast by the University of Michigan indicates that Washtenaw County is headed toward a sustained period of job growth over the next three years.

You can download the 2011-13 economic forecast here and read an AnnArbor.com report about it here. The forecast projects that the Ann Arbor will add more than 8,000 jobs over the next three years.

The forecast, conducted by economists George Fulton and Don Grimes for AnnArbor.com, coincides with AnnArbor.com Business Review's Economic Outlook Luncheon, sponsored by the Washtenaw Economic Club, and AnnArbor.com's Business to Business Expo at Washtenaw Community College.

Check back later today for coverage of the luncheon, where Fulton and Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder are speaking.

Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.