Dana Johnson Encouraged Quotations

I was really encouraged to see the rebound in activity in June and July. The local economy looks much healthier this summer than it did this past spring. However, a clear up-trend is not yet in place and probably will be slow to develop given the punishing level of energy prices and the prospect of more consolidation in the auto industry.

So far, I am encouraged to see how well the regional economy has weathered the job and income losses centered in the auto manufacturing sector. Mild winter weather and the Super Bowl no doubt helped to support the economy early in 2006. As those effects fade, I would expect to see some fall off in activity over the next several months.