Many of our Newsletter readers like to see facts and figures. Some readers just skim the pictures and read the captions. Others actually read the articles. Many of you have told me that you read the Newsletter from cover to cover, which is great to hear.
I imagine others put our Newsletter on their stack of magazines and other items that they want to read…but never get a chance to actually read it. It stays there until the pile gets too high and they finally throw the whole stack in the trash in an effort to “clean up the clutter” and start fresh. I know; I’ve been there.
For the first group of people – the facts & figures folks – I’ve compiled some, well, facts and figures for the Atlanta market. Here goes:
- The Atlanta metro area has seen a 0.8% decrease in private sector jobs since the end of the Great Recession, which officially ended June, ’09. (Source: MetroTrends)
- Gasoline prices have never been higher this time of the year in the U.S. At $3.53 a gallon, prices are already up 25 cents since Jan. 1. And experts say they could reach a record $4.25 a gallon by late April. That would top the record of $4.11 in July 2008. (Source: AP)
- Foreclosures nationwide are on the rise again. They surged 28 percent in January from December. More than 230,000 loans began the foreclosure process in January. (Source: CNBC)
This information shows us that we are living in a New Economy and that strong, positive economic changes will be slow to materialize.
Now, before you try to label me a “Debbie Downer” from the dreary facts above, allow me to impart a positive, uplifting message you’ve come to expect from this column: Always remember that it could be worse. We could be living in Las Vegas.
And hey, St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner. Maybe all we need is a little “Luck of the Irish” to get the economy going.
One company that has turned the current data upside down and created a way to prosper in this New Economy is Acadia Homes & Neighborhoods. You can read about their approach in our Feature Client Interview on page 2.
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| Doug interviewed in Las Vegas for live construction webcast. |
Speaking of Las Vegas, we recently attended the World of Concrete convention that is held each year in Las Vegas. We were there to check out the latest technology, to network with contractor friends, and find ways to improve how we do things. I also attended an educational seminar while I was there.
The editor of Concrete Contractor magazine, Rebecca Wasieleski, asked me to be interviewed for their live webcast. The interview was conducted during the convention. It was a fun experience. You can see that at http://bcove.me/2wp3xqwg
Happy St. Patrick’s Day,
