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Economic Forecast for Northeast Louisiana Presented to the Business Outlook Summit Monroe, Louisiana March 29, 2007. Dr. Robert Eisenstadt University of Louisiana-Monroe Dr. John Francis Louisiana Tech University. The measured labor force in NE Louisiana has fallen:. 2005-2006 change
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Economic Forecastfor Northeast LouisianaPresented to the Business Outlook SummitMonroe, LouisianaMarch 29, 2007 Dr. Robert Eisenstadt University of Louisiana-Monroe Dr. John Francis Louisiana Tech University
The measured labor force in NE Louisiana has fallen: 2005-2006 change in labor force = -5.6% in employment = -2.0%
Unemployment, however, is not the issue it used to be….. (figures from July 2006 household survey, not seasonally adjusted)
Data from the 2005-2 Job Vacancy Survey for NE Louisiana: What a difference a year makes.
From the 2005 (quarter 2) Job Vacancy Survey www.laworks.net In trying to fill this position what is the greatest difficulty you have faced? Unable to find qualified applicants = 20.7% Shortage of people in occupational category = 11.0% Not enough applications submitted = 14.6% Applicants will not work for offered compensation = 8.5% Applicant cannot pass drug or background check = 7.3% No difficulty at all = 8.5%
Rankings of Proportion of State Labor Force without a High School Diploma
Ranking of Proportion of State Labor Force with Some Training Beyond High School
Labor Force Participation Rate • Louisiana – 71.3% • Ark-LA-Miss – 73.7% • United States – 78.3% • LA is well below the national average
Wage Inequality • Why Does Wage Inequality Matter? • Equity • Some evidence that it reduces overall consumption and economic growth
Post-Katrinagains in retail sales are strong: 2004-05: 4.7% increase 2005-06: 9.9% increase 2004-05: 1.3% increase 2005-06: 6.5% increase
2005-06 change=18.8% 2005-06 change=15.0% 2004 Per capita personal income Ouachita: $26,595 Lincoln: $23,003
Year over year percentage (3-month running average) change in estimated retail sales for Ouachita Parish
Car, van and light truck sales are quite stable and show some gains
2006 permits for construction projects are well ahead of 2005 levels in both number, square footage, and real estimated value.
Existing home sales (all homes > $50,000) Homes sold are for Ouachita and contiguous parishes. NE LA Board of Realtors. (constant 2006 $.)
Ouachita and Lincoln Parishes gain population in 2006 Ouachita = +1,551; Lincoln=+539
Thank God for Babies……………. 27,262 babies (8.8% of 2000 population) were born in NE Louisiana between 2000 and 2005.