Economists at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. are predicting that employers will add 66,000 new jobs this year countywide, a 1.6 percent increase, with strength in tourism, TV and film production and aerospace.

The report, scheduled to be released Wednesday by the LAEDC, finds a “generally favorable” outlook for L.A.’s economy in 2005 and 2006, while the national economy moves into “a full-fledged economic expansion.”

Overall, the LAEDC predicts that California’s economy will add 253,700 new jobs next year, a 1.7 percent increase. New homebuilding in Los Angeles and Riverside-San Bernardino counties will remain at high levels, but fall 6 percent from recent highs set in 2004.

Another question is whether home prices decline significantly. The LAEDC didn’t weigh in with an opinion, although counterparts at the UCLA Anderson Forecast have been insisting there is a bubble in the housing market.

“Los Angeles County’s economy was in a solid growth mode at the end of 2004, and the outlook for 2005 is much improved,” the report stated, noting that the region got off to a “less than auspicious start” with the torrential rains and shutdown of the 717 commercial jet program, the last commercial airliner made in Los Angeles.

Another big risk that could hinder the economic outlook for Southern California, is the possibility that Los Angeles Air Force Base could be targeted for closure.

The LAEDC said that while trade is increasing a major cog in the region’s economy Los Angeles also is struggling to fix major infrastructure problems with congestion at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, a lack of industrial and warehouse space, and an unstable electricity supply.

Economists at the LAEDC also think tourism could lag if city officials fail to craft a financing package to build a convention center hotel.