The national economy has been strong and gaining momentum for the last three years.  The national unemployment rate has been hovering at around 4%, a relatively low level, for two years.  Although stock indices such as the Dow Jones 500 have displayed some volatility in the last year, most experts featured on the High Street Panel in the March 19xx issue of Economic Trends Today forecast stable and increasing corporate earnings.

On a regional level, the Midwest region of the United States continues to experience rapid expansion and prosperity.  In response to the increased number of people moving to the mid-west region , the region has become more business-focused.  Unemployment is continually declining as new job creation has been on a constant rise.  The younger generation has especially taken to the mid-west migration.  According to the March 19xx issue of An Educational Analysis, the average number of applications submitted to mid-west Universities has increased by 15% over the last two years.  This increase is expected to rise consistently over the next five years.  Moreover, the economic outlook for the nation, the Mid-West, and especially the University towns in the Mid-West, is extremely favorable for the next five years.