Experts don't expect the war to provoke deep troubles for the East Lansing economy, especially if the battle ends quickly.
"The oil markets are guessing it will be a short war, and the situation in the Middle East will be conducive to a smoother flow of oil which will lead to lower prices," economics Professor Charles Ballard said.
"But all this depends on what happens militarily.
"If Saddam Hussein manages to destroy large portions of the oil fields, that is not so good for keeping the price of oil on world markets."
The oil markets are a good indicator of what's ahead for economy and the war's impact on localities such as East Lansing.
But the lingering recession and the slowness of business investment, coupled with war, will be most telling in the weeks ahead, Ballard said.
"Businesses are uneasy about the situation, and we've had months with the possibility of war," he said.
With the uncertainty leading up to war, businesses and individuals have been resistant about investing.
But now that the uncertainty is settled, "there may be an increase in investment spending which would be good for the overall economy," he said.
East Lansing's unique economy, which is largely impacted by MSU, the state government and General Motors Corp., might have the stability to overcome negative impacts of war.
"East Lansing has a very stable population, particularly with the university itself," said Jim van Ravensway, East Lansing Director of Planning and Community Development. "Students are still going to spend money."
During tough times, food is still a necessity, said Paul O'Connor, owner of Flats Grille, 551 E. Grand River Ave.
"(War) will effect the big companies rather than the little guys," he said.
"People have to eat. People don't have to get new clothes or new cars. I am worried about the war but I still have to go on and make a living."
Other business owners providing services, such as Timonthy Monét of Blades Hair Studio, 108 Bailey St., share the same thoughts on the war's effect on individual businesses.
Monét said people will spend more on necessities than luxuries.
"As far as my business, I am not changing anything," he said. "I want to keep business as normal as possible, because if we dwell on the war, it will do nothing but stress people out."
For students such as general management junior Jeff Veach, the war won't have a large impact on how much money they'll spend.
"I don't think it will effect me at all just because I spend the bare minimum that I can right now," he said.
"I'll will probably work more just to save a bit."
He said the current economy doesn't factor in his decision.
"It's not going to have an effect on student spending," he said.
"They have their budgets and a lot of kids are still going to get their money from their parents. I don't think they are thinking too far in the future.
"If the war goes on for a while and the economy starts to go down the hole, people will start watching what they spend. If it's short, it won't affect students much."
