Ernie Goss Energy Quotations

For most states in the region, unemployment rates moved lower and job growth higher as manufacturers, finance firms and energy providers details growth. However, telecommunications remained weak and construction cooled in January.

The 15 Fed rate hikes and higher energy prices, even with the warmer than expected winter weather, are having negative impacts on confidence among regional supply managers and business leaders.

Despite the announced closure of the two Tyson plants, Nebraska's confidence index stood at a regional high of 70.2. Certainly, the rising fortunes of the state's ethanol and renewable energy industry have buoyed businesses in this industry or firms with close ties to this industry.

It's clear the overall economy is solid and pointing to growth in the upcoming months, much stronger than anticipated earlier because of energy prices and natural gas prices. We would have expected much slower growth.

The Mid-America regional economy began 2005 like a lion, but higher interest rates and elevated energy costs forced the region's economy to end the year like a lamb.