The national economy has been strong and gaining momentum for the last three years.  The national unemployment rate has been hovering at 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 Southeast region of the United States continues to experience rapid expansion and prosperity.  As this region accepts many newcomers from the rust belt and other areas, it has become more business focused.  Business is booming in the new south.  The annual growth rate of new businesses with 1000 employees or less is 8%.  Many businesses continue to expand in or relocate to the Southeast.  Unemployment is declining faster in this region than any other in the United States.  Net job creation has advanced at a steady clip.  High technology areas have grown up in Atlanta, the Tri-City metroplex, and the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. The number of new businesses or new branch offices created in the Tri-City area was the fourth highest of any metropolitan region in the U.S. according to government’s recent Growth Outlook fact book.  According to the March 19xx issue of Economic Trends Today, average household disposable income should rise 0.5% in the next two years.  Moreover, the economic outlook for the nation, the Southeast, and especially for the Tri-City metroplex region for the next five years is extremely favorable.