Ernie Goss Region Quotations

I expect positive, but weaker hiring in the region in the months ahead.

It is certainly clear that record warm weather for much of the region for January and February played an important role in supporting the economy.

The Mountain States region experienced growth significantly higher than the rest of the nation. The region added 53,000 jobs, an annual growth rate of 2.9 percent, in the first half of 2005 but added only 41,000 jobs, an annual growth rate of 2.2 percent, in the second half of the year.

The most recent rate increases, and a rate hike at its next meeting, in my judgment will slow growth to an unacceptably low rate for the region and the nation.

For example, greater reliance on ethanol by the U.S. will make many areas in the region clear economic winners.