Description

4th Quarter 2006 Report
Over the past two years, Southwest
Virginia has frequently figured
prominently in our feature article. We
have highlighted the region in regards
to tourism and the Crooked Road and
high-tech employment and the
expansion of Northrop Grumman.
With this issue of Virginia Economic
Trends, we examine a topic more
traditionally associated with Southwest Virginia — the coal industry.
With the holiday season upon us, consumers appear ready to spend.
The stock market is rising, the unemployment rate is falling, and
gasoline prices are much lower than earlier in the year. The one soft spot
in the economy is the housing sector; but spillover effects, so far, have
been limited. Here in Virginia, the economy continues to grow slightly
faster than the national pace.
Best wishes to you and yours this holiday season and into the coming
year!