Confidence rising among state biz leaders
Birmingham Business Journal – July 20
…However, the survey – conducted by the University of Alabama‘s Center for Business and Economic Research – still shows that state’s economy is not quite out of muddy waters just yet. Since the latest score is below 50, it’s still in the negative territory. Any score below 50 translates into contraction, while numbers above 50 indicate expansion. “Business executives are slightly more optimistic about the state’s performance,” according to the study, which survey nearly 250 business leaders across Alabama. “Profits, employment and capital investment are expected to fall at a slower pace across most industries.”…
Economy won’t improve for months, Alabama economists say
Birmingham News – July 23
…Sam Addy, an economist with the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research, said Alabama’s job losses have accelerated over the past year and show no signs of slowing down. Addy gave a mid-year economic outlook presentation at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center on U.S. 280 on Wednesday…In his report, Addy said Alabama’s manufacturing base, which employs nearly one in eight of the state’s workers, has suffered the brunt of the job losses – 38 percent of the total over the past 12 months. Professional and business services, which make up one-tenth of the state’s work force, accounted for 20 percent of job losses…
Tuscaloosa News – July 23