Michael Pakko
Arkansas Leads in GDP (Editorial)
Arkansas punches above its weight in terms of the goods and services its citizens produce. read more >
Arkansas Leads US in GDP Growth for Second Consecutive Quarter
The sector that includes agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting was the leading contributor to the state's growth. read more >
Good News, Bad News (Editorial)
The good news: Employment is strong. The bad news: There’s a labor shortage. read more >
Tourism Tax Receipts Up 8% in Eclipse April, But No Record Set
Analysis after the fact has taught tourism officials that the market for a solar eclipse is much like the market for state parks and other outdoor recreation. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Retail Sales in Arkansas Slow in 2023
Total retail spending in Arkansas increased 2.4% in 2023 compared with 2022, according to economist Michael Pakko. In the U.S., total retail spending rose 2.6% last year compared with the […] read more >
Eclipse Economics: Arkansas Expects Tourism Boom on the Horizon
To calculate how many eclipse chasers will be looking skyward in Arkansas at 1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 8, economists and tourism officials started by looking backward. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
The Eclipse: Arkansas’ Chance to Shine (Editorial)
The eclipse gives the state’s tourism industry an unparalleled opportunity to shine. read more >
Job Openings Ratio Remains High in Arkansas
One measure of the tightness of labor markets is the number of job openings per unemployed person, economist Michael Pakko noted recently on his arkansaseconomist.com blog. The national ratio has moved down […] read more >
Arkansas Employment Data Called ‘Remarkable’
In the past four months, the number unemployed has fallen by 9,509. read more >
Arkansas September Tax Collections 20% Above Forecast
September net available general revenue hits $766.1 million, 20% above forecast, and officials foresee a third straight year of "high growth in incomes." read more >
by Lance Turner -
Cannabis Legalization: Business Pros and Cons
What the vote for recreational marijuana could mean for business, from the size of the market to its sales and tax potential. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Job Openings Per Unemployed Worker Dips in Arkansas
The number of job openings per unemployed worker fell below 2.0 for the first time this year. read more >
Inflation Slowing, Economists Tell Arkansas State Chamber
Uncertainty remains, but the good news is that Arkansas and the country seem to be nearing full employment. read more >
Unemployment Rates in Arkansas Reach Pre-Pandemic Levels
Just as unemployment fell statewide in October, to 3.7%, unemployment rates in all eight Arkansas metro areas also declined, with rates falling by 0.2 to 0.4 percentage points. read more >
Arkansas Economist Sees Low Unemployment, Less Spending Ahead
Unemployment of between 3.3%-4% is also expected. read more >
Jobless Ratio Stands at 0.6 in Arkansas
The ratio of unemployed people to job openings has been steadily declining this year, falling below 1.0 in July. read more >
Inflation: Costs, Supply Issues Put Squeeze on Manufacturers
Raw materials, labor and fuel price increases are forcing producers to both economize and pass on the costs to customers. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
It’s Called A Job Market (Gwen Moritz Editor’s Note)
With so many companies hiring at the same time, the best workers have options. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Beyond COVID-19: Industries and Leaders Look to Future
Arkansas Business asked industry leaders to share their expectations for 2021, both before and after the coronavirus vaccine is widely available. Here’s what they said. read more >
Smooth Move, Dude (Gwen Moritz Editor’s Note)
It’s a perfect story: Hardworking young man full of energy and ideas finds unlikely success, only to be knocked down by the establishment that feels threatened by a new generation of talent. Maybe a little too perfect. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
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