Media
continued from 2013
Area Job Growth Stays Tepid
Nashville Post, December 26, 2012
Middle Tennessee's workforce grew by 0.5 percent in November from a year ago, according to federal numbers curated by the Business and Economic Research Center at MTSU.
Early Data Show Johnson City Job Gains in November
Kingsport Trends, December 26, 2012
A heat chart of the monthly percentage changes can be found at Middle Tennessee State University's TACIR web site.
BERC: Tennessee's Economy Is Looking Up
Murfreesboro Post, December 18, 2012
Tennessee's economy continues to recover, according to data from the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Tennessee Exports Have Mid-State Economist Worried
WMOT, December 5, 2012
Dr. Steven Livingston says Tennessee exports are growing by a healthy seven or eight percent per quarter, but he also says that growth is increasingly dependent on a shrinking number of products headed to a shrinking number of countries.
Tennessee's Top 5 Biggest Exports
Times Free Press, December 4, 2012
Health Sector Leads Metro Knox Job Growth
News Sentinel, November 28, 2012
As the unemployment rate drops statewide, metropolitan Knoxville is leading Tennessee in terms of job creation, according to a new report by Middle Tennessee State University.
Area Job Growth Ticks Up, Still Anemic
Times Free Press, November 8, 2012
The Economy Ranks High with Chattanooga Voters
Times Free Press, November 8, 2012
"I think people are looking at the indicators and seeing the modest, but fairly stable employment growth month after month and people are getting convinced that perhaps things are getting better," said Dr. David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Lending Drags on Nashville's Housing Recovery
Nashville Business Journal, November 2, 2012
Over the Fiscal Cliff: Cuts Set to Begin Jan. Would Slice Budget Deficit $607 Billion
Times Free Press, October 26, 2012
"We're growing at a slow, but steady pace. But in January if Congress doesn't back away from the fiscal cliff, all bets are off," said David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Chattanooga Area Jobless Tally Falls; Still Above U.S. Rate
Times Free Press, October 19, 2012
"The economy is improving and there have been recent signs in housing and consumer confidence that things are getting better," said David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University. "But I don't expect much change in the overall jobless rate, and in January all bets are off."
What Are the Top Five Counties in Tennessee for Foreign Firms?
Times Free Press, October 16, 2012
More than 350 foreign-owned firms have moved to Tennessee over the past 15 years.
Middle Tennessee Economy Slogging Along, but Bright Spots Emerging
Southpoint, Atlanta Fed, October 4, 2012
Dr. Penn's near-term expectations are for slow employment growth, a slower rise in the rate of sales tax collections, mild increases in construction activity, and a drifting down of the unemployment rate. Not the rosiest of forecasts, but it could be a lot worse.
Experts: Uncertainty Preventing Stronger Economic Recovery
Murfreesboro Post (September 27, 2012)
"The economy is not being threatened to jump off a cliff," said David Penn, director of the Middle Tennessee State University Business and Economic Research Center. "It is being pushed."
Community Banks Are Spotlighted at Economic Conference
MTSU Sidelines (September 26, 2012)
David Penn said that although there are positive signs in Tennessee economic growth such as leveled or increased housing prices and increased sales tax collection, overall Tennessee’s economy is slowing.
Local Economy Growing but Fragile
Nashville Post (September 24, 2012)
Among the presenters was Business and Economic Research Center Director David Penn, who told attendees that there are a number of good things happening locally (the housing market is continuing to heal, our manufacturers are growing and retail sales growth is strong) but that there are plenty of factors that can derail growth in the coming years.
Area Jobless Rates Remain above U.S. Average
Times Free Press (September 21, 2012)
"There's no doubt that there is a lull in the recovery," said Dr. David Penn, director of economic forecasting at Middle Tennessee State University. "We're seeing sales and construction growth level off and unemployment go up because of fewer people being hired while more people keep coming into the workforce."
Experts Forecast Mixed 2013 at MTSU Economic Outlook Conference
MTSU News (September 21, 2012)
During his presentation, Dr. David Penn, director of the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center, pointed to a significantly improving housing market overall for the Nashville metropolitan area. Single-family housing construction is up 41 percent, he said, and home sales are up 27 percent from a year ago.
A Closer Look at the Tennessee Economy from MTSU Professors
YouTube video (September 21, 2012)
MTSU economics professor David Penn and Greg Gonzales, commissioner of the state Department of Financial Institutions, discuss the Tennessee economy.
Speakers Outline Mixed Bag at MTSU Economic Outlook Conference
WGNS radio (September 21, 2012)
During his presentation, David Penn, director of the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center, pointed to a significantly improving housing market overall for the Nashville metropolitan area, with single-family housing construction up 41 percent and home sales up 27 percent from a year ago.
Jobless Rate in Tennessee Looms as Problem
Tennessean, DNJ (September 21, 2012); Greenville Online (September 22, 2012)
In a presentation, David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at MTSU, expressed concern over several economic measurements that were either flagging or moving in the wrong direction.
August Makes Four Months of Rising Unemployment
WPLN (September 20, 2012)
"Much of our growth in manufacturing and business related to manufacturing have had to do with exports, over the last 10 years or so anyway. As the markets, especially European markets, shrink, then demand for our exports drops."
MTSU to Examine Economic Outlook
Murfreesboro Post (September 16, 2012)
Making presentations at the conference will be David Penn, director of the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center, who will share statistics and insights about the Midstate and regional economy; and Donald Ratajczak, nationally known economist and regent's professor of economics emeritus at Georgia State University.
Registration Deadline Friday for MTSU Economic Outlook Conference
Tennessean (September 13, 2012)
Penn, director of the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center, will share statistics and insights about the Midstate and regional economy.
Area Job Growth Slips Below 1%
Tennessean (September 13, 2012)
Fingers crossed this is just a summer swoon: Middle Tennessee employers slowed their hiring pace in July, causing year-over-year growth to slip below 1 percent for the first time in more than a year.
Tennessee's Jobless Rate Reaches 8.4 Percent for July
Tennessean (August 17, 2012)
"Yes, we are moving in the wrong direction right now," said David Penn, a Middle Tennessee State University economist. "Will it continue? The recovery has been a series of ups and downs, so I am not ready to conclude that more losses are inevitable in the coming months."
Manufactured Hhousing Market Shows Signs of Life
News Sentinel (August 12, 2012)
David A. Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University, said higher lending standards have been driving people to multifamily housing. He suspects this could be drawing buyers to manufactured homes as well. "Mortgage rates tend to be low now, but that helps only as long as you can qualify for a mortgage, depending on how much you want to borrow and the expense of the home," he said.
Home Sales Showing Steady Improvement
Murfreesboro Post (August 12, 2012)
Tennessee as a whole has shown overall improvement over the past three months, newly released data from MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center shows.
Home Closings in Middle Tennessee Best Since 2008
WPLN (August 9, 2012)
MTSU economist David Penn says the month-to-month improvement is a good thing. "In this market, it's better to be up than down. I think the other thing we have to look at is what are those homes selling for. Are the prices starting to edge up?"
Business Services, Construction, Manufacturing Lead Tennessee Job Recovery
Nashville Business Journal (August 3, 2012)
David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University, said the growth shows Tennessee is well-positioned, though continued economic uncertainty could still wreak havoc.
Kingsort-Bristol Sales Tax Collection Down for 3rd Month; Johnson City Collections Up
Times News (July 22, 2012)
According to newly released data from the Business and Economic Research Center at MTSU, Kingsport-Bristol was also the only MSA in the state to post a year-over-year decline in collections.
Unemployment Up in Tennessee, Georgia
Times Free Press (July 20, 2012)
"This continues the trend we have seen each spring for several years now with the recovery seeming to slowdown and stall any drop in the jobless rate," said David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University. "Economic growth is just not great enough yet to generate enough jobs to bring down unemployment, which has remained near its current levels for most of this year."
Monday Miscellany
TheSurvivalistBlog.net (July 9, 2012)
This map shows that current Tennessee population growth centered around the middle Tennessee area surrounding the capital city of Nashville experienced the greatest growth. Why we're looking at maps, here is another one for Tennessee Population Density, 2010, according to the map norther section of Eastern redoubt area has up toward the Big South Fork area has the lowest concentration of people.
Tennessee Job Growth Increases, but Wages Decline
Tennessean (July 3, 2012)
David Penn, a Middle Tennessee State University economist, believes Tennessee employers hired part-time workers at a faster clip.
In Nashville, Housing Options Push Working Class to the Edge
Tennessean (July 1, 2012)
About 65 percent of Davidson County households had income sufficient to buy a median-priced house in Nashville in 2010 compared with 53 percent in 2006, according to an analysis done for The Tennessean by David Penn, director of Middle Tennessee State University's Business and Economic Research Center.
Economy Takes Toll on American Wealth
Murfreesboro Post (June 28, 2012)
Net worth for households has dropped in 2010 compared with 2005 primarily due to falling home prices, causing declines in home equity, says David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Nashville's Taxing Dilemma: Metro Area Clearly Outpaces City's Core
Nashville Business Journal (June 8, 2012)
"A big challenge for the urban core is retaining the tax base," said David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University.
Construction Sector Shows Signs of Life
Murfreesboro Post (June 3, 2012)
Total building permits in Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Murfreesboro, increased 22.3 percent from April 2011 to April 2012, according to a report by MTSU's Business and Economic Research Center with data provided by Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau and Tennessee Department of Revenue. Statistics were seasonally adjusted by BERC.
Tennessee Lawmakers' Fundraisers Not for the Poor
Tennessean (June 4, 2012; DNJ)
"Races are more expensive today," said Steven Livingston, a professor of political science at Middle Tennessee State University. "If you're going to ask someone for a huge sum of money, you can't do it over a ham sandwich."
Nashville's Nonprofit Sector
Nashville Nonprofit Review (May 29, 2012)
More than 15 percent of regional employment and $20.9 billion in business revenue is contributed to the Nashville MSA by the nonprofit sector, according to a newly released economic impact study produced by the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University and sponsored by the Center for Nonprofit Management.
New Home Building Up in Kingsport-Bristol, Johnson City MSAs
Times News (May 28, 2012)
An update on single-family home construction from the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center points out "housing construction activity for Tennessee is trending lower. "Building activity is low in Clarksville, Cleveland and Nashville while Knoxville and Memphis is flat." However, the trend is improving in Kingsport-Bristol, Johnson City, Morristown, Jackson and Chattanooga MSAs.
Kingsport-Bristol April Sales Tax Collections Up
Times News (May 25, 2012)
According to BERC's seasonally adjusted data from the state Department of Revenue, collections last month in Kingsport-Bristol were $15,555,900. That was off 0.5% from March's collections.
Unemployment Rates Fall in Tennessee, Georgia
Times Free Press (May 18, 2012)
David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University, said he expects the economy to continue to improve this year, albeit at a more tepid pace than most recoveries.
Ready to React to 'Obamacare' Ruling
Nashville Ledger (May 18, 2012)
In 2008, more than 90,000 people in Nashville and 12 nearby counties worked in core health organizations, according to a 2010 study from Middle Tennessee State University's Business and Economic Research Center (BERC). . . . The study's author, Murat Arik, says he believes [health care industry] growth will continue.
Growth in Sales Tax Receipts Deceiving?
Tennessean (May 17, 2012)
In a new report out Thursday morning, the MTSU Business and Economic Research Center notes that inflation has reduced the buying power of every dollar Tennesseans spend.
Tennessee Upgrades Its Job Search Website
Tennessean (May 16, 2012)
Economist David Penn of Middle Tennessee State University agreed [the state site's features should aid workers and employers] but said there might be limitations on who is able to benefit. "The more we can use technology to link employers with job-seekers in a cost-effective manner, the better," he said. "The only rub is access to the Web."
Tennessee Jobless Claims Hit Lowest Level since 2006
Times News (May 14, 2012)
According to the Business and Economic Research Center at MTSU, "seasonally adjusted initial claims dropped to a weekly average of 5,112, the lowest level since well before the recession.
Tennessee State Government Jobs Feel Pinch
Tennessean (May 11, 2012)
The number of jobs in the Nashville area grew by 2.1 percent from March 2011 to March 2012, according to Middle Tennessee State University's Business and Economic Research Center. But had it not been for cuts to the public sector, job growth would have been at least one-half of one percentage point higher, said center director David Penn.
Work Still Scarce for New College Graduates
Times Free Press (May 6, 2012)
A two-year or four-year degree is no guarantee of a top-paying job, and graduates must be flexible and willing to compete in a changing, global economy, according to Murat Arik, associate director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Low Interest Rates Prod Spending
Tennessean (May 5, 2012)
"Consumers are getting more confident about borrowing and spending on big-ticket items," said David Penn, an economist at Middle Tennessee State University.
Services, Autos Power MSA Job Gains
Nashville Post (April 26, 2012)
A lot of national economic indicators may still be wishy-washy at best, but it's hard to ignore the strong Middle Tennessee jobs data of late. The team members at MTSU's Business & Economic Research Center have crunched the March numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Experts Discuss Economic Recovery, Jobs
Murfreesboro Post ( April 26, 2012)
The mining, logging and construction industry in the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area experienced year-over-year employment growth in January and February at 12.2 percent and 8.2 percent respectively, data from BERC shows. Professional and business services witnessed growth during the same time period, with 7.6 percent in January and 5.9 percent in February. Most industries showed modest growth with the exception of non-durable goods, which shows a 2.3 percent year-over-year decrease in January and 1.9 percent decrease in February. Wholesale trade, information and government also experienced decreases during the same time period.
What's the Story Behind Tennessee's Strong Construction Employment Data?
Southpoint (Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta blog, April 17, 2012)
The Volunteer State has added nearly 10,000 construction jobs over the past year while other states continue to post declines.
Davidson Lags Suburbs' Spending Growth
Nashville Post (April 11, 2012)
Newly updated numbers from the MTSU Business & Economic Research Center. show that sales tax collected, a proxy for total retail sales, rose just 0.2 percent in Metro in the year end Feb. 28.
Tennessee's Growth is Fueled by Exports to World Markets
Tennessean (April 5, 2012)
Favorable exchange rates also have boosted the state's foreign commerce, said Steven Livingston, who tracks exports as editor of Global Commerce, a publication by Middle Tennessee State University's Business and Economic Research Center. A weaker dollar has made American goods, products and raw materials more attractive and affordable to non-U.S. buyers, Livingston said. "It's all from the fall of the dollar and the pickup of the global economy."
TN Jobless Rate Falls Again
Tennessean (March 23, 2012)
"The state economy now has sufficient positive momentum to argue that we have turned an important corner," said David Penn, a Middle Tennessee State University economist.
State's Increase in Construction Jobs Tempered by Context
Nashville Post (March 15, 2012)
David Penn, director of the Middle Tennessee State University Business and Economic Research Center, said, "The level of employment in this sector had dropped so low that it didn't take a major increase in jobs to show a large growth rate."
Tennessee Initial Jobless Claims Hit 4-Year Low in February
Times News (March 13, 2012)
Middle Tennessee State University's Bureau of Economic Research Center is reporting that initial claims for unemployment insurance in Tennessee continued to improve in February, dropping to a weekly average of 6,037 after seasonal adjustments.
Tennessee's Job Gains Bypass Latinos
Tennessean (March 2, 2012)
The state's overall job gains seem "fairly well broad-based across several sectors," said Middle Tennessee State University economist David Penn. . . . But he acknowledges that Hispanic workers, teenagers, other minorities and the less-educated aren't experiencing the same consistent job gains as the rest of the population.