AZCA News

Campaign-finance report deadline passes
Arizona Republic
Political committee donors included the pro-gun rights Arizona Citizens Defense League PAC, Realtors of Arizona and the Arizona Contractors Association PAC.

Downturn in housing construction has ripped $2 billion from Tucson economy
Inside Tucson Business
That money not only trickled down through the local economy, but trickled up into local government coffers. "Too many governments were living off of development and impact fees. Now, that has gone away. Two. Billion. Dollars. Lost," said John Strobeck, ...

The Monday Morning Quarterback
A quick analysis of important economic data released over the last week  

More relatively good news.  

Real gross domestic product- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S. increased at an annual rate of 2.8% in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to the third quarter of 2011.  While this is better than the 1.8% increase for the third quarter compared to the second quarter of 2011, it was still below the general level of expectations.  As for the future, the index of leading indicators of the U.S. increased 0.4% in December to 94.3.  This compares to 93.9 in November and 91.7 in December of 2010.  Coincident and lagging indicators were also up.   The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index increased from 69.9 in December to 74.0 in January.  This is comparable to 74.2 registered in January of 2010. 

Other positives include a 3.0% increase in durable goods orders and a 2.1% gain in durable goods orders excluding autos.  Pending home sales, while down from November, were up 5.6% over a year ago.  Jobless claims, while still high, are moving in the right direction.  Amazingly, inflation is still under control as the chain weighted deflator in the fourth quarter grew by 0.4%.  This is well below expectations.

As for Arizona, the state ranked 22nd in job growth in 2011 compared to 49th in 2010 and 2009.  This is the best relative performance since 2007 when it also ranked 22nd.  As for Greater Phoenix, it ranked 9th in 2011 when compared with 31 other metro areas that have more than 1,000,000 jobs.  This compared to 31 out of 32 in 2010 and 2009 and is the best performance since 2006 when Greater Phoenix was 1st in job growth. 

The glass remains half full.  Lousy by historic standards, but still up. 

About EDPCo

Elliott D. Pollack & Company (EDPCo) offers a broad range of economic and real estate consulting services backed by one of the most comprehensive databases found in the nation. This information makes it possible for the firm to conduct economic forecasting, develop economic impact studies and prepare demographic analyses and forecasts. Econometric modeling and economic development analysis and planning are also part of our capabilities. EDPCo staff includes professionals with backgrounds in economics, urban planning, financial analysis, real estate development and government. These professionals serve a broad client base of both public and private sector entities that range from school districts and utility companies to law firms and real estate developers.

our mission

Our mission is to provide corporate, civic, political leadership and economic development opportunities in the Arizona construction industry for the benefit of our companies, employees and communities.

The AZCA is an integrated construction industry, public policy non-profit organization established since 1956 focused on growing Arizona's economy and advancing the construction industry.  The organization is comprised of industry leaders owners, developers, architects, engineers, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors of all trades, material suppliers, and economic developers as will as firms who offer services to the industry and public employees who work with the industry.

AZCA, YOUR ADVOCATE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & CONSTRUCTION