Two successful Atlanta-based entrepreneurs with positive outlooks on the future of their enterprises and the U.S. economy clashed with the more somber views of Rajeev Dhawan, at the Feb. 10 IndUS Entrepreneurs (Tie Atlanta) meeting.

Dr. Dhawan is a professor at the Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University and director of the university’s Economic Forecasting Center. He was the main speaker at the event co-hosted by Tie and the Georgia Indo-American Chamber of Commerce that drew some 250 attendees.

During his presentation, he said that unlike previous recoveries that were accompanied by a strong bounce back in jobs, the economic climate today is plagued by a lack of investment spending. "Corporate spending is the only solution," he added. "Companies are extremely concerned that new investments will not guarantee future sales."

Following his presentation, Dr. Dhawan participated in a panel discussion with Rajiv Deshpande, who currently is CEO ...