21 Things Economic Developers Need to Know This Week
The stories Dane thinks you need to see. March 27, 2025 edition.

Welcome to this week's issue of What Economic Developers Need to Know This Week, where we explore the evolving dynamics of our economy.
This week we have 21 tools, stories, graphics, and charts that I think you'll find informative, useful, inspiring, and perhaps even humorous. Some are economic development related directly, and some only indirectly. 🤔
If you're wondering what to do with the info in this newsletter, send something to your board members. It will make you look good!

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1) New from the Econ Dev Show: Econ Dev Tools - Find the right tools for economic development.
2) Lots of new updates this week in Sitehunt, including soil reports and slope reports.
3) Economic Development and Developers in the News # 188 - Econ dev news from 31 economic development executives and organizations in 15 states.
4) Podcast 166: Building Arkansas's Economic Future with Clint O'Neal - From Teaching Junior High to recruiting Fortune 500s
5) 23 New Econ Dev Jobs This Week - 23 jobs in 15 states from $49,000 - $250,000+
6) 31 Things Economic Developers Need to Know This Week - The stories Dane thinks you need to see. March 20, 2025 edition.
7) The economic output in the blue area matches that in the red areas:

8) Over-the-year percent change in metropolitan area employment:

The big winners:
- Eagle Pass TX 4.4%
- Rochester, MN 4.2%
- St. George, UT 4.2%
9) Blue states don't build. Red states do:

10) Four of the 10 fastest growing U.S. counties are in Texas:

11) US consumer confidence deteriorated further this month, according to the Conference Board's survey:

12) New home sales were slightly above last year's levels in February:

By region:

By status:

13) Composition of US-manufactured goods purchases:

14) The services PMI indicator showed an acceleration in activity this month (fueled in part by warmer weather), easing concerns about an economic slowdown:

15) Services hiring has returned to growth:


16) US births declined to the lowest level in 40+ years:

17) Which U.S. states import the most from Canada and Mexico?

18) For more and more US adults, it seems like one job is just no longer enough:

19) Every country's top exports and imports:








20) Where cars sold in America are made:

21) Obesity in North America:
