Economy Remains Weak In Rural Parts Of 10 States
A new survey suggests the economy will remain weak in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states because the strong U.S. dollar is hurting exports and the bird flu is hitting poultry farms hard.
Watch CBS News
A new survey suggests the economy will remain weak in rural parts of 10 Western and Plains states because the strong U.S. dollar is hurting exports and the bird flu is hitting poultry farms hard.
Minnesota's unemployment rate is stuck at 3.7 percent for the eighth straight month.
A monthly survey of bankers suggests a weakening economy lies ahead for rural parts of 10 Midwestern and Western states.
It is going to be a busy weekend in St. Paul. The boys state high school hockey tournament continues at Xcel Energy Center Friday with the semifinals in both Class A and 2-A, which is huge for the local economy.
A report to be released on Thursday aims to highlight employment disparities in Minnesota. The groups Neighborhoods Organizing for Change, the Center for Popular Democracy, and the Economic Policy Institute say they plan to hold a rally.
Composting has become more than just a growing trend, it's generating millions of dollars for Minnesota's economy. The Minnesota Composting Council recently did the first-ever statewide study of the Minnesota composting industry.
A monthly business survey suggests only modest economic growth is likely in nine Midwestern and Plains states this spring because the agriculture and energy sectors are slowing. The report released Monday says the overall economic index for the region improved slightly to 54.8 in January from December's 54.4.
A monthly survey of bankers suggests the economy will remain weak in rural parts of 10 Midwestern and Western states because of low grain and oil prices. The region's overall economic index improved slightly to 50.9 in January from December's neutral score of 50.
Minnesota's economy is headed in the right direction but many people may not be feeling it in their paychecks yet. That's one takeaway from a report released Thursday. The budget forecast shows state government on pace for a $1 billion surplus.
Slow economic growth is likely in nine Midwestern and Plains states in the months ahead because low crop and energy prices are hurting business in the region, according to a monthly report released Monday. The survey of business leaders conducted by Creighton University showed an overall economic index for the region of 51.3 in November. That's down from October's 51.8 and barely above the neutral score of 50.
The strength of Minnesota's economy put Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican nominee Jeff Johnson at odds Wednesday night in an opening debate that also saw skirmishes over health care and transportation.
The economy will likely grow more slowly this fall in nine Midwestern and Plains states, according to a monthly survey of business leaders released Wednesday. The region's overall economic index dropped nearly three points in September, to 54.3, from 57.2 the previous month.
A monthly economic survey index for nine Midwestern and Plains states has slumped after hitting a three-year high a month earlier. A report issued Friday says the overall Mid-America Business Conditions Index dropped more than 3½ percentage points in July, to 57.0.
Ardent Minnesota supporters of President Barack Obama say they share his frustrations that the economy hasn't taken flight as fast as hoped. But some who turned out for the Democrat's economic policy speech on the shores of Lake Harriet say it's not for lack of effort on the president's part. Non-profit executive Norm Munk was among those quick to defend Obama. Munk says he worries that a polarized Washington is stunting the nation's progress.
For one Minnesota woman, President Obama's trip to Minnesota this week has extra-special significance. St. Anthony resident Rebekah Erler wrote a letter to the president last March. And to her surprise, he's responding in person.
A monthly economic index for nine Midwestern and Plains states hit a three-year high in April, suggesting more economic growth over the next three to six months, according to a report issued Thursday.
The economy should continue growing steadily in nine Midwestern and Plains states, according to a monthly survey of business leaders released Tuesday. The overall economic index for the region improved to 58.2 in March from 57.4 in February. That's solidly above the neutral level of 50.
A new report shows just how much national parks benefit the local economy. The National Park Service report from 2012 showed that the 163,419 people that visited the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Bayfiled, Wis. spent a collective $24 million during their visits.
An economist says a survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Plains states suggests the regional economy is losing steam. The Rural Mainstreet Index dropped below growth neutral in the February survey, hitting 48.4, compared with 50.8 in January and 56.1 in December.
A new survey of business leaders released Monday signals the economy should continue growing in nine Midwestern and Plains states in the months ahead. The monthly economic index for the region rose to 57.7 last month, compared with 53.2 in December. That puts the index well above a neutral score of 50 and into positive territory.
It's a busy Friday afternoon at Parc Boutique in northeast Minneapolis. Racks full of women's fashions greet the customers. But Parc's owner, Thao Nguyen, says the recent cold snap has hurt her in-store sales. "It's harder for people to come into the shop," Nguyen said. Just like how tornadoes and hurricanes disrupt economic activity, there is also a steep cost to our cold weather. The lower the temperature drops, the fewer of us venture outside to shop, dine and recreate.
Businesses looking to expand their operations and hire new employees in Minnesota may not qualify for help from a new job creation fund. The program was announced Friday by Gov. Mark Dayton and Katie Clark Sieben, commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic Development. "The $24 million Job Creation Fund is now open for business," Katie Clark Sieben said. She says the "pay for performance" business development initiative will help create 5,000 jobs, and another $450 million of private investment into the economy.
Hunkering down at home rather than going to work, canceling thousands of flights and repairing burst pipes from the Midwest to the Southeast has its price. By one estimate, about $5 billion.
A monthly economic report suggests supply managers surveyed in nine Midwestern and Plains states are optimistic about the regional economy over the next six months. The confidence index for the Mid-America Business Conditions Index jumped to 66.5 last month from 57.2 in November.
With weather not posing a problem, shoppers flocked to their neighborhood malls and stores on Saturday to finish or, in many cases, begin their holiday shopping. According to retail analysts, Saturday is expected to be the busiest shopping day in the shortened season. And with just three days remaining until Christmas Day, many are finding deep discounts as retailers try to trim inventories. And it's not just people getting presents under the tree. Leah Goldade of Lulu and Luigi's Pet Boutique says business is brisk.
